CLC is one of the oldest lay organisations in the Church.

It is present in more than 55 countries, and was established in Wellington in 1997.

Held over four days, the meeting aimed to embrace youth in the world with the theme, with a slogan "Asian youth! Arise, shine!".

Forty-five delegates from 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region shared ideas and experiences towards the assembly theme: "Youth and Formation for mission in our Region today."

"It was amazing to watch the way countries from the region came together for a common theme," said Simon.

"Everyone was deeply respectful of others attending, yet there was a sense of mission and purpose towards youth that we needed to bring out in a new context."

"Overall, CLC in New Zealand is in good heart," comments Simon, "although we are still very new here."

"Many countries are wanting to support us to grow, especially Australia, and bring us into a wider world assembly."

"It was very gratifying to hear that, although there is long way to go."

"Some CLC communities have many young people as part of their programs, while others had much older participants and struggle to attract young people," says Simon.

"New Zealand probably sits in the middle somewhere, with an equal mix of young and old members."

Simon added, "I will take so much away from my time in Taipei."

"If I had to come up with one thing that stood out for me, that is, that CLC is part of a strong global community that is ready with support for others."

Source

• CLC Media Release
• Image: CLC

The CLC Ignatian way lies in healing historical divisions, a way that blurs distinctions of skin colour, offers a new way of relating, and shows the love of the Lord for all his peoples. In the forefront of these endeavours stand the Jesuits. They often came with the conquerors, but immediately showed a different way of relating with the indigenous peoples. They demonstrated 'love in action'.

Based on formation through the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, CLC offers a process and ways of discernment and evaluation for those individuals who take seriously Christ's call to 'love one another as I have loved you' Coming together in small groups to share their spiritual journey strengthens them to begin healing the terrible wounds inflicted on their neighbours, through the divine gift of forgiveness. as in Rwanda offering to share the treasure of CLC with Burundi, the country which had massacred so many Tutsis. Taking the first step is crucial on this journey.

I find it inspiring, challenging, shaming that people who seem so poverty stricken and disadvantaged compared to those around me in Aotearoa, are able to rise above their circumstances by ministering to others in need.

Here are the brief stories of two women from Burkina-Faso, one of the tiniest and poorest countries in Africa, as examples:

The woman with little education who studies for three relentless years to become a nurse, followed by three years of more advanced medical studies so that she may help HIV/AIDS victims. She has the perspicacity to see that they want most of all to be listened to, treated with dignity, when they are often rejected by their families through shame or fear of infection. Through the CLC process of sharing on personal prayer, of being listened to without comment or judgment, she learns to express herself, to pray, and to find a commitment to 'help souls', as Ignatius has it. She finds that CLC is not for herself, but for her sisters and brothers.

Another woman whose son's failing sight motivates her to train in ophthalmology, in order to help those suffering from eye infections. She emphasises the importance of the quality of the reception of the patient for healing. She continues by detailing how the CLC, by means of silent, interior prayer on the Word of God has helped her to share her Christian experience through the witness of her life. She says that she looks for joy in the patients; their joy becomes her joy, and sustains her in her work.

The Christian Life Community is long established in over 60 countries and now nascent in Aotearoa. Tricia Kane.

• Tricia Kane is a former librarian and a grandmother.