By Tadiwa Madava
The Ignite Youth Network, a grouping of youth groups inspired by Ignatian Spirituality in
Zimbabwe, have begun preparations for the MAGIS and World Youth Day 2023, in Lisbon.
MAGIS is a worldwide program that gathers the Young people from the Ignatian Family,
between the ages of 18 and 30, in the 10 days prior to the World Youth Day. It is, an opportunity
for Ignatian Youth to celebrate their faith together and prepare for WYD.
The 10th edition of this program will run from the 22 nd to the 31 st of July 2023, where pilgrims
will be immersed in different experiments full of experiences that help to celebrate faith and
service in a space of sharing and prayer.
The official motto for this edition is “creating a hope-filled future” and it is withdrawn from the
Universal Apostolic Preferences from the Society of Jesus 2019 – 2029, more specifically the
third Preference “Journeying with Youth in the creation of a hope-filled future”.
The MAGIS program will precede the World Youth Day scheduled for Lisbon, Portugal from 22
July to 6 August 2023.
Speaking at the Ignite Youth Mass held in Mbare, the Ignatian Youth Network coordinator,
Panashe Gwanzura urged youths from various parts of the Ignatian Network to take the
opportunity to share their life experiences and celebrate their faith.
“The MAGIS encounter is an opportunity for the global community to pray together and share
life proficiencies, so let’s take this opportunity and prepare ourselves,” said Gwanzura.
Rev Ashton Mugozhi SJ, the Jesuit Youth Ministry Zimbabwe delegate called upon the youths to
participate in the pilgrimage and journey together and participate in the experiences.
“You have a role to play in discovering what God is you to as a pilgrim,” he said.
Attending the mass were youths from Young people for others(YPO), National Movement of
Catholic Students (NMCS), Magis, Tamba Africa, Shingirirayi Youth, and Zimbabwe Young
Catholic students (ZYCS).
English