Pozuelo: Oblate Martyrs Speak to Young People

Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG

Click here to see the article en Español

By Belén Cazorla

From July 28 to 31, Oblate Youth of the Mediterranean Province have been enjoying their particular “pre-WYD”, a meeting before the WYD that will take place in Lisbon. Belén gives us the highlights of the first day of their gathering.

Meeting and getting to know each other

Friday evening was the day of gathering and getting to know other young people living the same faith a few kilometres away. After the welcome and dinner, we enjoyed an evening of Spanish and Italian songs and dances.

The Oblate martyrs of Pozuelo

The main focus of Saturday was the Oblate martyrs of Pozuelo. After morning prayer, we highlighted their sacrifice for Christ, recalling the importance of giving one’s life for love wherever God wants. The grain that dies bears fruit, and we are called to be fruitful seeds.

An example of living as Christians in our daily lives

After breakfast, where Spaniards and Italians could share food and conversation, we set off for Paracuellos del Jarama. We were warmly welcomed in the cemetery where the martyrs were buried. We are grateful for being able to visit the place where they gave testimony of their faith, love of Christ, and forgiveness of the militiamen, which today serves as an example for us to live as Christians in our daily lives.

The love of God who gives himself in his body and blood

At the cemetery, we prayed the Stations of the Cross, following the steps taken by the martyrs on November 1936. We meditated on the Gospel passages and the Preface of the Constitutions and Rules of the Oblates. Then we celebrated the Eucharist in two languages but with a common language: the love of God who gives himself in his body and blood.

Belén Cazorla is a teacher, a young woman from the parish of Aluche, and a coordinator of young Oblates.