Corazon Puro, the Bronx-based Catholic outreach ministry for youth and young adults, will host a bilingual missionary formation gathering for ministry leaders and volunteers, in particular, the Hispanic Ministry laity.

The annual meeting, called Missionary Formation Week, is set for Aug. 5-11 at Corazon Puro’s main center in Saint Crispin’s Friary, East 156th in the Bronx. The event will be conducted in Spanish and English and is made possible with a grant from the Lilly Endowment. An estimated 75 people from the Archdiocese of New York and beyond are expected to attend, including participants from other countries. (Corazon Puro has missions in the U.S., along the Mexico/Texas border, Nicaragua, and the Philippines.)

“Missionary formation is a process of spiritual growth that prepares young adults to become effective evangelizers and missionaries. It is a journey of faith that involves learning, prayer, and service,” Salomon Cariño, Corazón Puro program director, Missionary Formation Institute (MFI), told The Good Newsroom this week. “The goal of missionary formation is to help young adults develop a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and to share His love with others. The ages that the program focuses on are from 18 to 35 years old.”

The MFI program for young adults focuses on five steps to encourage participants to grow in their faith and become effective missionaries, according to Corazon Puro materials. The steps focus on prayer, study, service, community, and mission.

“Prayer is the foundation of missionary formation. Young adults should make time for daily prayer and reflection. They can also participate in retreats, pilgrimages, and other spiritual activities to deepen their relationship with God,” Cariño said. “Missionary formation is a lifelong process. Young adults should continue to grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. By doing so, they will become effective evangelizers and missionaries who can share God’s love within their church and family.”

Karen Morales, 27, will be among the Missionary Formation participants. She is from Our Lady of Refuge Church in the Bronx, where she helps teach 7th-grade catechism. 

“This is the first time I’m attending a whole week. I’ve been to (Corazon Puro) formation weekends before,” Morales said, adding she’s certain that being a participant at the weeklong gathering will further enrich what she’s learned during shorter formation events. “My faith has been central to growing and learning about who I am as a person. It is a very important part of my life.”

The MFI program also stresses the importance of studying the Bible. It states that the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other spiritual texts can deepen participants’ understanding of the faith. Participants can also attend classes, workshops, and seminars to learn more about the Church’s teachings.

The program encourages young adults to serve others in their communities – to volunteer at local charities, hospitals, and schools, or to participate in mission trips and other service projects that help those in need.

Program coordinators talk with young adults about the significance of being part of a faith community – by joining a parish group, a youth ministry, or a young adult group, or participating in social events, retreats, and other activities to build relationships with other young adults.

As for mission, the MFI program encourages young adults to share their faith with others – to evangelize through their words and actions, or to participate in missionary work, such as teaching, preaching, and serving the poor.

Corazon Puro’s strategic approach focuses on dignity and personal integrity, leadership training, family strengthening, service, and missionary formation – all through introductory, intermediate, and advanced programs. The events include Mass, Adoration, and confession.

Father Agustino Torres, CFR (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal), is chaplain and president emeritus of Corazon Puro, which he co-founded in 2008. Father Torres will be among the speakers during Missionary Formation Week, and he will lead Mass celebrations and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

For more information, visit Corazon Puro.