The AP is strong!

With about six to seven million associates, the AP in Brazil is great in quantity and in quality.

The leadership of an AP Center in Pernambuco travelled 800 km to support a Center in Bahia and also had the chance to do an ecological visit.

The associates from the Dourados Diocese in Mato Grosso do Sul came from very distant points, even from 300 km away, to celebrate an AP Sunday gathering, procession included.

The members from Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, on the boundary of Mato Grosso cannot hide their joy. The Heart of Jesus transforms hearts and faces.

Every year, some AP groups have a three day retreat experience, like these from Itajaí, Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil.

EYM centers from north to south

In Brazil, due to the great distances, we still do not have a National Director for the EYM. But in many dioceses, little by little, groups like these are being formed, as we see in Amazonas, in the north, in Alagoas, in the north-east, etc.

EYM Alagoas

EYM Maceió

EYM Manaus-Amazonas

EYM Rio de Janeiro-Itaperuna

AP flourishes in the Congo.

God’s Spirit has moved the members of our ‘church of living ecclesial base communities’ to be curious to know more about the Apostleship of Prayer and the Eucharistic Youth Movement. With the help of Fr. Rigobert, who is also National Secretary of this service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday 29 October 2009 we spoke about the history and spirituality of AP/EYM, about its use of the Exercises of St. Ignatius, about the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and about the new evangelisation by the new evangelisers in their way of life: ‘Offer what one gives and give what one offers.’ At the end, nearly everybody was impressed and wanted to become a member. Today, it is the members of our ‘Cenacle’ group, the Charismatic Renewal, who would like to know more about AP/EYM.

With our parish priest, who received us, we have to see how to spread AP/EYM in all the base communities of our parish and, why not, in the other movements and commissions. Coming out of a three-day evangelisation-campaign, on the fourth day we had a Mass which ended with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which plunged the whole world into the merciful Heart of God.

Mamam Margo Bongo

DRC, December 2009

The Apostleship of Prayer of the Democratic Republic of Congo visits Makala central prison.

The Apostleship of Prayer (AP) and the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM) consider the sick as privileged members of the AP, according to a declaration by Pope John Paul II, for they are the suffering members of Christ’s Body. Prisoners also come into this category. This year the AP/EYM in RDC felt a particular call to close communion with these friends in their suffering. That is why last February, on the World Day of the Sick, a visit was made to Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Limete/Kinshasa, in addition to the regular, ordinary visits that are made to the Ngaliema and Kinoise clinics, with the sacraments.

The visit to the Makala (Kinshasa) central prison took place on 28 June 2009. It had been prepared for in prayer, first of all, before several meetings and contacts were thought of. Brother Philippe Luamba, organiser of the EYM at Boboto College, had managed to collect all kinds of gifts brought by the primary school: rice, soap, clothes and other things. The AP members had made contributions, to which the office had added some money. All this enabled us to buy beans, sea-fish and other ingredients, to cook a proper meal for the prisoners.

So the cooking-team was mobilised at the AP office. Some mothers stayed up late in the Boboto College forest, and the Servico residence kindly gave permission to use the facilities of the house called Bethany for cooking overnight. The Province, through the Fr. Socius, gave us the use of the Land Cruiser to transport the food. So, on Sunday morning 28th June, everything was ready for the expedition. The day began with a celebration of the Eucharist. The second reading for that 13th ordinary Sunday, 2 Cor.8: 7-9, 13-15, spoke clearly to us: it was an invitation to generosity like Christ’s. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Philippe Nzoimbengene, a member of the AP/EYM from Kikwit, who was passing through Kinshasa. We set off to the prison a little before 10a.m. We were a group of 17, including Brother Gérard Landu of Servico, who offered to accompany us, and a few lay members of the AP/EYM, who are close collaborators, and who have always shown an encouraging dynamism.

At the prison entrance we were struck by the way the policemen begged. Knowing that we were taking food for the prisoners they tried to take some for themselves on the way. But we were determined that we were only giving food to those the food was meant for. Fr. Grégoire, the prison chaplain, received us with joy, but warned us that the atmosphere was not good, and that it would be better not to stay long in the prison. On the way in we were searched minutely. Entry with more than 5000FC, about US$7, is not allowed. Identity-cards have to be left at the door, in exchange for a token, which must not be lost, on risk of being left in prison! Without an identity-card there is no entry. In spite of our entreaty, the good Br. Philippe was not allowed to come in with us, because he had forgotten his card. He stayed behind to look after the vehicles, with another young man who came with us.

Inside the prison the priest chaplain handed us over to a team of his fellow-workers, who accompanied us in the distribution of food. Priority was given to the weakest prisoners, the sick, who were in separate quarters. We had prepared food for about a hundred prisoners, but we gave that amount of food to more than 300 people, simply because there were so many who looked pleadingly at us, and we couldn’t resist such disarming expressions. We had to re-pack the parcels to feed a larger number. That day we were the only group to go and feed the prisoners, who fell on the food because they had not eaten for more than two days. The government only feeds them once a week, and with a quantity less than sufficient: one tin of tomatoes per person, for a week! Without charitable groups from the Catholic Church, the prisoners would all die of hunger. There are about 1500 prisoners in Makala at present.

It was a very sad sight. We all had tears in our eyes, and couldn’t hold them back, even though the chaplain had warned us. The food was finished off then and there, as soon as it was given out. Other prisoners wanted to deceive us to get a second helping. When our escorts saw that, they beat them. That aroused our anger still more, because they were so weak that a little blow on their weak bodies made us feel pain in our own bodies….. A prisoner without a plate held out the sweater he was wearing for the beans and sauce to be put on it. Useless to look for water to wash before eating. They know the gospel that says that what comes out of a man is unclean, not what goes into him. No rule of cleanliness. People even picked up the scraps of bean that fell on the ground, to eat them straight away.

We also visited the building where the political prisoners were. We greeted Eddy Kapend, who was very welcoming. Others of us went to see the women’s quarters, and those of the children: some were born in prison and are still there. .. Briefly, the visit quite simply shocked us. Still, we promised to go back… We left leaflets of the Morning Offering and the Pope’s intentions with the chaplain, who will find time and opportunity to give them out; we also left with him clothes for distribution, and the food which we had prepared for the prisoners in hospital.

That visit was a great consolation to the prisoners, even if they could fight among themselves over the food. They always found an opportunity to thank us for our gesture. And many of them said grace before eating. We asked ourselves if visiting for a day was any use, if they were going to be hungry again the next day. But we remembered that the Lord Jesus didn’t feed the crowd every day. He did it once or twice, but all the same people still talk about it. The joy that we brought to those prisoners and the memory of it lasted for a long time. We also thought about the text on the Last Judgement, Matt. 25, when Jesus says ‘I was in prison and you visited me.’ In this passage Jesus doesn’t say ‘Someone was in prison and you visited him in my name’ but ‘I was in prison’. So he is the one whom we have visited. And there, the Lord says nothing about the reason why he was imprisoned. It is in that spirit that we looked at the prisoners, just as brothers and sisters, without trying to find out why they are there; it is not for us to judge. We decided to go to Mass and Holy Communion on the first Friday in July, for the intention of these prisoners. We continue to keep them in our hearts, and we thank all those who pray for them or who would like to come to their aid in whatever way.

‘Prayer at the heart of the world’ is the name of the website begun in September 2009 by the Apostleship of Prayer in France. A beautiful adventure for this team of fifteen people who put their human, spiritual and artistic experience at the service of the Pope’s intentions for prayer. How to mobilise the heart and the prayer of the greatest possible number of Christians and of people who want more peace and brotherhood? How to reach the younger people who want, with Christ, to put themselves at the service of today’s world? This site seeks to respond to that expectation with its graphics, its audio-recordings to download, its videos, photos and articles: with Jesus Christ, to be at the service of the world through prayer. www.apostolat-priere.org

‘I have seen my people’s joy!’

Mission Camp Jordan, EYM 2009

July 2009: Departure under way! Direction: Jordan. Aim: EYM Mission Camp. Personnel: 47 people aged over 16. Purpose of our mission: organise educational, recreational and spiritual activities for the Jordanians and Iraqis whom we were to meet in the village of Fheiss, to be witnesses of God’s love.

We were to spend seven days of mission with young people aged 7 to 25. On the programme: games, songs, meetings for sharing, forums for discussion, and so on. During the evenings, visits to families to get to know them better and to share our experiences of life in the light of a biblical text. The camp ended with a festive Mass and a great celebration which brought together around 300 people whom we had met in the four mission centres. All of us, Iraqis, Jordanians and Lebanese, were united by the same spirit, despite our differences: the Spirit of God who shone in us, and whom we were proud and happy to bring to others. During these three last days we had the joy of discovered the wonders of Jordan.

On the way back, listening to the young people bearing witness to what they had experienced, I realised how many beautiful things we had seen and heard during these ten days.

I saw smiles lighting up, and deep joy shining on all faces.

I saw young people who had found more joy in experiencing a mission camp than in spending all their days on the beach or in front of their computers.

I saw young people and their leaders leaping, singing, dancing, smiling, surpassing themselves, even though they were tired… happy to give themselves and to spread joy around them.

I saw that living in a team is one of the most beautiful lives, and work in a team still more fruitful.

I saw the generosity and the warm welcome given by the people of Fheiss in Jordan

I saw the fervour of the Iraqis and the hope they have of a new life.

I saw the birth of friendship among our young people and all those whom we met.

I saw the hands of Lebanese, Jordanians and Iraqis intertwining gaily to dance the dabke.

I saw how openness is a fruitful experience, and how beautiful it is to be useful, because one receives a great deal through giving.

I saw how God is present at our every step. I saw God’s face in the smile of every child or young person whom we met, in each hopeful look from an old person.

I saw how the Eucharist unites us, whether we are Maronites, Greek Catholics, Latins or even Chaldeans…

I saw that we are all speaking of the same God….the same Father… the same Love…

I saw that God was happy and that he said to Moses: ‘I have seen, I have seen my people’s joy’ and not their misery…

I saw once again that the EYM is an extraordinary movement for the blossoming and the human and spiritual growth of young people. That the EYM is a real road for growing, uniting and getting involved. Yes, we have grown in listening, sharing, prayer, faith, hope, involvement, responsibility, service and self-giving. Our camp in Jordan is mission accomplished!

Testimonies from the young people

Mission Camp Jordan – EYM 2009

‘It is important to give without getting back! My faith has grown… My way of looking at things has changed…’

Cynthia Karam – aged 16

‘I have grown in confidence and in responsibility… I can speak of the Gospel and of Christ without being afraid. I really am a disciple of Christ and I want to continue the mission in my personal life with those around

Georges Adam – aged 16

‘I can be responsible at any moment in any situation!’

Sarah Tabel – aged 18

‘I have understood the importance of life, parents and friends …. I am no longer really attached to material things.’

Jhon-Jacques Charo – aged 16

‘I have discovered that God is present in me all the time! I have rediscovered what it means to be a Christian.’

Youmna Abboud – aged 17

‘I have seen that it is possible to do everything, if you really want to. I have discovered how many believers there are.’

Lara El Feghall – aged 17

‘This camp showed me the beauty of life in a team, and proved to me that it is always possible to go on, in spite of difficulties. I have learned how to cope in any situation and to have more confidence in myself… I am taking away with me an inner peace.’

Yara Aoun – aged 18

‘I am taking away with me a lot of friendship and happiness. My faith has grown a lot.’

Gilbert Sahyoun – aged 16

‘I have discovered the depth in the Christians of Fheiss and how immense their faith in God is. … I have had deep spiritual experiences during the Gospel evenings.’

Paul Chammas – aged 16

‘I am proud of what I can do!’

Diala Kozally – aged 18

‘My outlook on things has changed in a positive way.’

Joel El Kassir – aged 19

‘We aren’t as different as we think! I have a stronger desire to help.’

Raoul Daou – aged 18

‘I discovered that my faith is a lot stronger than I thought…. That I can do things… My self-confidence has grown!’

Stéphanie Khoury – aged 16

‘I realised how lucky I am to be a Lebanese Christian… I take back with me the happiness of having sown joy in the little children’

Karen Abou Assi – aged 16

‘I have learned to accept others as they are.’

Yara Bou Younan – aged 18

‘I have discovered how many people there are who are deeply hurt but have kept their faith! How many people there are who need our prayers…. I have understood that God is what counts most in life… He is present in each moment of my life. We ought to trust him completely and entrust our lives to him.’

Grace Fakhry – aged 19

‘I feel closer to God.’

Imad Feghali – aged 18

‘I have grown in ability to lead… My trust in God has grown. It was a moving and unforgettable camp.’

Tania Maalouf – aged 16

‘I have discovered great richness in others whom I met. I am enriched at the spiritual level. I have learned to express myself better and to communicate with the other person. .. I am a new person, who knows the real meaning of the word joy.’

Hiba Louis – aged 18

‘I have met people thirsty for God’s Word… I have grown during this camp. I am becoming more responsible towards others.

Patricia Khawly – aged 17

‘I am a new being! I am taking away with me satisfaction, interior peace, the joy of serving, friendship, and so many happy memories!’

Nour Nakhoul – aged 19

In the United Kingdom the Apostleship of Prayer over the last three years has been proposed as a regular way of prayer, life and service in just over one hundred parishes, the length and breadth of England Scotland and Wales. Monthly leaflets with the papal intentions and a short reflection are taken into the homes of thousands catholic families and so often they find their way into non-catholic homes as well.

In the diocese in which I live there is a a team of young adults who spend a good deal of their time visiting primary and secondary schools facilitating days of retreat or prayer or simply trying to help the young people to have sense of the importance of Almighty God in their daily lives.

They use as their “most important tool” the simple method of our Apostleship, offering the day to the Lord, very simply and in the simplest of language. Towards the end of the day they teach the boys and girls to stop and think for a moment to say “thank you” for the good things of the day and for all the benefits they have received from parents, relatives, teachers and friends. They ask then to stop and think again and ”say sorry” for anything they may have said or done that is displeasing to Almighty God and hurtful to their neighbour.

All this may sound very ordinary and straightforward for those of us who try to base our prayer life on the Apostleship of Prayer but for many of these young people in our schools it is their first real encounter with the life of prayer and having a sense of the presence of Almighty God. Our diocesan team and some of the teachers in our schools bear witness to the start of a life of prayer and growth in the Spirit to been seen in our young people.

Sister Stephanie O’Brien, from the Zaidi Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, publishes in paper and posts on-line the full set of the years intentions, in an easy and convenient format. They print the booklet in English and Swahili, and it is distributed to parishes around the country.

See here the page that corresponds to this month. To see the full document, click here.

The Apostleship of Prayer (AP) in Malta has launched a campaign in the diocese promoting daily prayer in the family. AP has published a book and a CD pack F’Qalb Waħda Lilna Għaqqadt (You Brought Us Together In One Heart) written by a diocesan priest, Fr Paul Camilleri, who has vast pastoral experience with families. Young volunteers who are experts in publication, design, art work and music composition helped in the realization of this project.

Through this book, the family is led to pray together on one short phrase from the Bible. After reading the phrase the family members are helped to meditate on it by reciting alternately ten invocations which link their daily life with the Gospel sentence. This creative meditation is followed by an examination of conscience and intercessory prayers in the light of the same Gospel phrase.

Our families needed such an initiative: in fact the book is already a best seller in Malta.

From the AP young people (AP Youth) in the Immaculate Conception Parish of Antipolo City:

One activity of the Apostleship of Prayer Youth this year, is a visit to an orphanage in Antipolo, along Sumulong Highway. They chose the Missionaries of Charity, an Orphanage along Sumulong Highway. Through the effort of each active and concerned members, a small program was held. Food was shared and given to the children and an early Christmas gift was also given to each child through the help of Ms. Ezelyn Navarro’s kind family.

The members believe that through these acts they give joy and love, not just to the orphans but most of all to themselves which enable to help them develop into responsible members of the community.

Annual Presentation For Parents

An Annual Program / Presentation of the Apostleship of Prayer-Youth for their parents was held 3 days after Christmas. The purpose of this activity / program is to make the parents aware of the AP-Youth’s activities- as active laity in the Church and to introduce the Officers. Another purpose of this program is to thank the parents for allowing their sons / daughters to be out of their homes especially every Sunday, for being given time and help when in need, for their guidance and love.

According to them “For 1 whole year, we always give our parents a headache. Yes, indeed! Because of being so “makulit” and sometimes “pasaway.” It happens sometimes that we argue with them. And they always ask us, whe’re you going again? Come home early and we say yes but we don’t.”

Through this program we let them know that we love them and we care even if we didn’t say much.

Thru this, we let them smile and laugh by singing, dancing, sometimes acting, and some fun games. And before it ends we offer one song for our parents and while singing we let the members give to their respective parents a “Token” that we prepared. A token that somehow will remember us.

AP-Youth Weekly/Monthly Activities:

• First Sunday – Free time (Family Day)
• Second Sunday – Monthly Meeting
• Third Sunday – Prayer Meeting
• Fourth Sunday – Fellowship

Sometimes, the AP-Youth will plan to go an outing when summer vacation comes. The place and venue sometimes depends on the budget.

• A three-days retreat for the clergy and laity, entitled “Close to the Heart of Jesus”, are on offer in the beginning of June (9 – 11th June). Father Stanisław Groń SJ is meant to lead the retreats. On the day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (11th June) the Act of Family Consecration will be renewed. His Eminence Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz will take part in the celebration.

• The article “The Apostleship of Prayer” in Polish edition of “Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia” will be rewrittenand expanded.

The EYM in Poland (Sister Danuta Pusty)

After trying to understand better the charisma that was given by God to the Church through the Apostleship of Prayer and the Eucharistic Crusade for children, we took up a few new initiatives, that may help deepen the bonds with Jesus in the Eucharist and with other members of the Movement as well as with the AP. These are evangelical ways to do appropriate marketing for our message. Here are few of them:

1. Attention to small communities, that they may be a place where real bounds with God can be deepened through beautiful and loyal relations with someone else who also aims to find God, serve Him, and live for Him.

“I’ve been running a small EYM group in a little village since October. Being an animator is a new experience for me. I am happy that children are open to my service. We have managed to form bonds of mutual trust. We have been getting to know the Movement’s rules and we have been learning how to accomplish them in our lives. Children share their happiness, problems or failures concerning their resolutions or tasks. They can admit their mistakes or negligence. I have noticed that each of them needs to be treated, judged and led to Jesus individually.” (Małgorzata)

“I am very happy that I participated in the course for Animators, since I had an opportunity to spend time with people who speak the same language and at the same time I could learn a lot of good things from them. (...) I have always resisted and avoided performing in public. Here, because of our active participation in the daily Eucharist and small number of participants I was, so to say, made to act and all in all it was a wonderful experience for me. Thank you...” Basia

“My participation in Workshops, thanks to the small group of participants, helped me to get rid of anxiety, opened what is hidden in my heart and helped me benefit from the experiences of others. The experience of friendship among members who strive for the same aim makes us share deeply and sincerely. I was really enriched.

„(...)Nice workshops. The truth is, we were short of free time, there was always something going on. Or, there was a lot going on! The moments in the chapel were the most beautiful for me. I hadn’t expected to find such an atmosphere, such a prayer! Those candles, songs. That was what I needed... Special greetings for Mrs Justyna, who relieved me from my illness...” Aneczka.

2. Caring for elderly, sick and lonely people in EYM and AP. There are various ways of getting in touch with them. The contact came through letters on the website which would be addressed to those who suffer because of age, illness, and abandonment. The letter presents the idea of the AP and the EYM, as well as an invitation to take part in offering one’s life to Jesus’ Heart. Moreover, what is also presented in the letter are the intentions and issues concerning the EYM, which require some special praying.

This year the subject we worked on was: “To the ends of the earth, let us be witnesses to love”. I proposed to children to take care of the sick in our parish.

At the beginning, the children were skeptical about the idea of visiting the sick. But there was a turning point when they took part in Nativity Plays in their church. Children agreed to show the plays also in the houses of the sick. They were surprised and overwhelmed when the reaction of the spectators was so positive. They couldn’t hide their emotion and their gratitude for the atmosphere that we created, also in the common singing of carols. Such an event helped them to respond to the letter properly. I am so happy that the children understood how important our service to the sick is, especially to those who cannot participate in the Holy Mass because of their health conditions. As EYM community we support the service of the priest who visits the sick with Jesus in the Eucharist. We learn to be attentive to their needs. I believe that the children will see that the sick also pray for us and that we need them just as they need us. Małgorzata Plust

As I have noticed, the EYM children need a community, which would provide them with an opportunity to share about God, to meet Him directly. I am an animator of a group which was dissolved half a year ago – children graduated and went to various schools. Yet now, they are coming back, they say they miss our conversations, that they want establish a new group, which would be unfortunately much smaller. The fact that children come back, that they miss and look for the ERM community, is God’s triumph, in my opinion: the little grain that was sowed by Him starts to bear fruits – small but real.

3. We set a Room for Prayer on our website- a special information place that showed when, where and who prays for the EYM’s intentions and for other intentions we are asked to pray for. To know about how many Masses and prayers were said by so many people make the discouraged feel stronger and deepened the bonds with those who sacrifice their time to pray for the EYM.

4. The EYM Secretariat created an AP group. The community consists of people aged 18-47, who make some bigger or smaller works and constitute the Community of the EYM’s Secretariat.

“My experience of God was started partly from a small prayer community. We were meeting every week with the same group of people in various age (from teenagers to adults). The community grows from time to time – some new people come, they are encouraged by their friends or family. What makes it wonderful is the fact that we benefit from one another – the older from the younger and the other way round. We share our experiences, we pray for each other, give advice in difficult situations, and we always start with the Word of God - a fragment of the Bible with which we begin or end the meeting - thanks to that we invite God to our community. His presence can be really felt. We feel stronger and we look forward to the next meeting. It is amazing for me that such a varied group can be one community”. Ewelina

PASSO –A – REZAR.Net (I come to pray)

From 17 February 2010 the National Secretariat of the Apostleship of Prayer in Portugal has begun a new way of carrying forward its apostolic task of promoting evangelisation and personal prayer. Google ‘Passo a Rezar’ and you will get the site www.passo-a-rezar.net. On this site a daily prayer (Monday to Saturday) is offered for download or immediate listening, with about ten minutes, in mp3 (audio: voice and music) inspired by the Biblical texts of the day.

The essential purpose of this project is to make available free for internet-users a suggestion for prayer/meditation, in Portuguese, that can be listened to on any audio-machine compatible with the mp3 format. It originates from the site www.pray-as-you-go.org created in 2005 by the English Jesuits, who have generously agreed to the creation of a similar concept in Portuguese and to the temporary use of the content available on their site.

In realising this project the National Secretariat of the Apostleship of Prayer has counted from the beginning on the collaboration of Radio Renascença in the recording and editing of the content to be made available on www.passo-a-rezar.net. It foresees the continuing collaboration of Radio Renascença, as of the Church Agency in promoting the project. The National Secretariat of Pastoral Culture has also supported this proposal from the beginning.

After the creation of the Apostleship of Prayer website www.apostoladodaoracao.pt – which received about 36.500 visits during 2009 – this initiative confirms the commitment of the National Secretariat of AP to carrying its mission forward, adapting it to the new communications media, without neglecting its traditional apostolic methods in the forms of evangelisation already known to all.

Hyena Rocks

The name sounded alluring – eMatshezimpisi or 'hyena rocks'. It is a small game reserve in Zululand. I thought a few elderly religious might take to the idea, but Sr Irmingard then invited four young people in their twenties. We were talking about eight days of silence and the openness of a directed retreat. I was by no means sure that this odd plane, would fly but Irmingard was quietly confident.

As it turned out, the four young retreatants made this retreat as seriously as many a religious, perhaps more so. They confirmed an earlier observation: generous carers simply absorb the healing power of silence and the presence of God there.

These were exceptional young people, all involved in the Choose Freedom programme run at Maria Ratschitz Mission near Dundee. This peer-support programme gives young people the confidence to choose not to become statistics for the HIV/AIDS 'barometer'. Each of them – Hlengiwe, Jabulani, Khethiwe and Thobile – come frequently to the mission to lead these events. They also study and hold down jobs. We are talking of real generosity and commitment. Sr Irmingard herself runs a hospice for the kind of cases that the health system can do nothing more for. It is a ministry to the dying and often the abandoned dying.

The reserve is not far from Nkandla and the famous forest near where King Cetshwayo is buried. Irmingard knows the area well having worked at the hospital run by her religious congregation for a number of years. Everyone in the area seemed to know her or of her. One man told her that he was happy finally to meet the Dr Thalmeier that his mother had always told him had delivered him!

We came to six chalets perched precipitously on a steep slope overlooking a deep valley with a rushing stream at the bottom, the opposite south-facing slope being covered with lush natural bush. The chalets were shaped like traditional Zulu huts but were much larger and had everything a modern urban animal might need. We designated my hut for Mass and the sisters' for meals. These were miraculously produced by Sr Regelind, who had done a lot of pre-cooking before our arrival.

The retreatants prayed, kept silence, looked at the overwhelming natural beauty. I directed and, as with all seriously silent and prayerful groups, seemed to do the retreat with them.

Chris Chatteris from South Africa sent Lenten reflections to a full list of family and friends. Congratulations! (Here is a sample)

From the National Secretariat of Spain, probably the most interesting thing is the initiative on the web, undertaken by David Fornieles of Barcelona. He has begun to publish on the web a free digital version of the booklet ‘Praying Life.’ It is a little monthly booklet which offers a prayer for each day. He has enriched it for the internet with illustrations to accompany each day’s text.

Visit www.apor.es and click on the title, which says ORAR LA VIDA (Praying Life). It takes a while to download, naturally. But if you save it, you get immediate access always. Happy praying!

Social Communication Media at U.S. Apostleship of Prayer (James Kubicki, S.J.)

In January the Pope asks us to pray that young people may learn to use social communication media for their personal growth and in preparation to serve society. Increasingly, the U.S. Apostleship of Prayer has been reaching out to Catholics young and old, but especially to the young, via social communication media. We have been impressed by the power of those media and believe they play an important role in the "new evangelization" we want to be a part of. To that end, we are using the Internet as follows:

1. We maintain a web site (www.apostleshipofprayer.org ) where anyone can learn about our "simple, profound way of life." Visitors can order our materials and make a contribution by credit card.

2. We send a monthly e-mail letter to all those who want it. This e-letter reminds our members of the month's prayer intentions and offers reflections. We also use e-letters to communicate urgent prayer requests of the Pope, such as for the victims of recent natural disasters. At the same time we keep U.S. Jesuits informed of our youth outreach with a separate e-letter. We want our fellow Jesuits to see that we are a vital modern ministry with much to offer the Church. We want to inspire them to join us in spreading our Eucharistic spirituality.

3. We have a daily video reflection accessible on our web site or on You-Tube. We have monthly videos as well, announcing and reflecting on the Pope's prayer intentions.

4. We have a blog (web log), an online page for weekly comments and reflections. Other bloggers link to or quote from our blog, introducing new people to the Apostleship of Prayer.

5. We have a Facebook site where our friends can network with us and each other.

6. We participate in Twitter.

Although we reach only one person at a time through these media, the technology allows those who appreciate our messages to forward them to others, often by e-mail or by posting links to us. We are spreading across the worldwide web. One challenge is helping those we serve recognize the value of our media outreach and contribute to cover our costs.

People tend to think that everything on the Internet should be free.

Youth (Phil Hurley, S.J.)

Phil Hurley, SJ (MAR) began a new position with the AoP national office in the USA, as youth and young adult director. His work parallels to some extent that of the EYM in other parts of the world, though the US office has decided for now to use only the one name, AoP. Phil is working in a number of areas: traveling ministry presenting to groups of children, teenagers, and young adults around the US; working on new media outreach through the US website (www.apostleshipofprayer.org), a Facebook group, Twitter, YouTube, and other audio and video production; coordinating the US young adult pilgrim groups from Jesuit institutions going to MAGiS and World Youth Day 2011 in Spain and serving on the international planning team for MAGiS 2011; helping to encourage integration of faith and justice, prayer and service through the "simple, profound" spirituality of the AoP - the morning offering, "living the Eucharist," examen, and the love of the Heart of Jesus. Another key area of his work is providing opportunities for AoP-related ministry with youth and young adults for the many younger Jesuits around the USA who are interested in this apostolate.

As last year, we have printed a large number of AP leaflets for 2010. They give a brief introduction to the spirituality of the Apostleship of Prayer and the Pope's intentions for each month.

We pack them here in Lusaka in the National Office and address them to every Parish in the Country, all the Catholic Secondary Schools and some of the religious communities.

In each Diocese they are distributed either by the Pastoral Co-ordinator or the Bishop's Secretary. Each packet goes out with a covering letter asking that there be a brief explanation of the meaning of the AP leaflets either at the Parish Mass on Sunday or in the classroom.

In addition we send out a AP prayer bulletin and commentary on one of the Pope's intentions by e-mail each month. The morning offering and the evening "examen" prayer is broadcast each day on Radio Yatsani -- the radio station of the Archdiocese of Lusaka.

See more in our Good Practices section