A new and different lamp burned in the Original Shrine on the weekend of July 25-27. It was the lamp of IGNIS, the fire of youth, which was rekindled to accompany the meeting and make visible what we had come to seek: the fire of Christ. On that occasion, IGNIS (fire), the international meeting of the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth, took place.

300 young people from 20 different countries

At the opening Mass on Friday, more than 300 young people from more than 20 different countries gathered to rekindle that fire. From the esplanade of the Original Shrine, they made it their own again, as in that distant time of the first sodalists. Their desire was clear: to ask the Queen once again to light the fire of Christ in their hearts.

During the opening ceremony, with its ambitious production and rich details, we became aware that we were part of something historic. With the presence of figures such as the Congregation members themselves, João Pozzobon, and the stellar appearance of Father Joseph Kentenich from the window of the “old house,” we remembered that we are heirs to entire generations. Our fire is not only ours, but a gift and a legacy. Together with the Shrine and the tombs of those same heroes, each of our hearts grew larger as we felt part of that great history.

The entire historic valley was filled with youth

On Saturday morning, Fr. Pedro Bras gave us his testimony of living that fire. He showed us how, over time, we become more aware that the fire of Christ is always lived with others, it is shared. And how the testimonies of friends always lift us higher.

By mid-morning, the entire historic valley was filled with young people again as they spread out to participate in some 20 workshops. Accompanying the richness of the place, we also entered into the richness of our Movement with the various themes of the workshops. The topics? Very broad, ranging from “Semiotics and Symbolism of the Schoenstatt Valley” to “The Value of Life Groups” and even “How to Compose a Song.”

Ignis World Cup

In the afternoon, the young people dressed in the colors of their countries to energetically experience the Ignis World Cup. It was an afternoon full of joy where fraternity was lived and passion was demonstrated with their feet, leaving their hearts in every ball.

Dinner on the lawn of the Sion Shrine was a well-deserved rest and a time to reconnect. Sitting in circles on the grass, we were reminded of the multiplication of the loaves by Jesus. Although there were no miracles, the joy was no less. We continued with Holy Mass on the mountain, where Fr. Luis Polit invited us to live in the fire, the fire of Christ. It means remaining in his friendship, in prayer, and friendship with our friends, with those whom he gave us to share this beautiful life.

But the most beautiful moment of the day, and of the Ignis, some said afterwards, was during the adoration that followed. With the Sion Shrine illuminated and the lights of Koblenz on the horizon, we adored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It was a genuine encounter with fire, a fire of peace and joy, an encounter with the Friend. There, we discovered that He is the center, the burning bush, where our mission burns and sends us forth. There our hearts also burned…

The power of fire is multiplied when it is shared

At dawn on Sunday, the rain wanted to steal the show, but it did not prevent three of our young people from giving their testimonies of various missions in their countries.

In the MaTER Talk, they told us about the power of their fire, which multiplies when shared. Such dedication and service always leave their mark; they always transform us. And in us, the desire to share our fire also began to beat.

That desire began to take shape for some of us at the “Mission Expo”, where each country presented its approach to working with its youth. It was an exchange experience that opened our eyes to admire the colors and styles of the mission in each culture.

It was not just an event, it was a new Youth Pentecost

At the closing at the Founder Chapel, we reconnected with our essence, with our history. And from there, the sending forth, the mission in each of us, began to beat strongly. With the sending forth of Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, each one approached to seek his Pilgrim Mother, confirming in that gesture a single desire, that of carrying the fire to ignite the world in Christ and Mary.

That was Ignis, the International Boys’ Youth meeting. It was not an event, it was a new Youth Pentecost, where each one rediscovered that fire that has been burning since 1914 in the sacred ground of the Original Shrine. And Mary welcomed us, touched our hearts, and, transforming us with the fire of Christ, sent us forth.

Meanwhile, the Girls’ Youth also finished their RTA meeting, and in the evening, we came together for Holy Mass in the Pilgerkirche (Pilgrims’ Church). There, Fr. Ignacio Camacho invited us to value our past, but always looking to the future with boldness, authenticity, and freedom. In that spirit, we walked together to renew the Covenant of Love with Mary, our Queen, and like the first ones, in the Original Shrine.

At night, the party was in full swing, and the young people were the stars of the show. They showed us their talents, performing music and dances from each of their countries. This cultural diversity gave us the gift of rediscovering the beauty of sharing, confirming that together we are stronger and that each of us has something unique and original to offer.

Source: Vínculo Magazine, Issue No. 393, August 2025

Translation: Maribel Acaron