World Youth Day Rio2013 - Vocations Fair was a success even with rain and cold weather

The Vocations Fair of the World Youth Day (WYD Rio2013) has been located at Quinta da Boa Vista park, in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, ih the north zone of Rio de Janeiro. Starded on Tuesday, 23, it was a success, not even the rain or low temperatures, considering the usual weather, sent the visitors away. The Fair offered confessions and a place for adoration of the Blessed, beyond many congregations’ stands from various parts of Brazil and the world showing their storys and explaning what the people do. Young people also exchanged information between them, such as experiences and gifts. The Fair received visitors until July, 26. On Friday, Pope Francis heard the confessions of five young people, during his visit to the Fair. 

One of the visitors was the volunteer Maria José Catalano, 26, who lives in Santa Fé, Argentina, and said that the Vocations Fair had been one of the best programs for its importance in everyone’s lives. “I still haven’t found my calling, but I believe that the Fair will help me a lot”, she said.

The diversity of congregations offered to the young people more than information, but also reception, as a way to help them find their calling. Zola Dorjbayer, 21, has made her choise still when she was little and had moved from Mongolia to Belgium. And then, with seven years old, she entered the Community of Sant’Egidio. She used to be a budist, but she has found in the Catholic Church a life mission. “There are people who say to be catholic, but actually it’s just for tradition, as they don’t practice what they believe”, Zola said. The girl also said that she had liked the friendly and informal brazilian behavior. “The Fair was great, we have also learned a lot”.

Another example of conversion is Gledis Shabani, 21, from Albania, which used to follow Islam. "I come from a Muslim family, but when I was 18 I was sure I would follow Catholicism. In the Sant'Egidio Community, I realized that helping others can be done easily with small actions. It’s important to talk to those who need help and start a friendship with them. We must act” said the studant who also lives in Belgium since she was a child.

Being a total success, the work of volunteers has been essential, so that the pilgrim Esther Melo do Nascimento, 20, helped in the last minute, without even signed up as a volunteer. "I came here to visit, but I saw they needed help as the demand was very high. I accepted and the job was wonderful,” said the young carioca girl.

By aggregating young pilgrims and volunteers of different nationalities in order to not only meet the 124 stands, of 104 congregations, but also to deepen their knowledge, the Vocations Fair brought to the young visitors everything that the Pope Francis said at the Mass on Sunday, July 28. “Jesus is calling you to be a disciple with a mission! Today, in the light of the Word of God that we have heard, what is the Lord saying to us? Three simple ideas: Go, do not be afraid, and serve”.