A series of Godzone tour evangelization concerts took place in four Slovak and two Czech cities from 21 to 26 October. The events in Košice, Žilina, Zlín, Brno, Bratislava and Banská Bystrica were attended by a new record of around 31,000 participants. Several redemptorists of the Province of Bratislava – Prague, as well as lay collaborators and members of the lay redemptorist communities, were involved in the evangelization event. In each city, the Provincial Fr. Jozef Mihok CSsR gave the main message of the program. Several of his confreres celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the event.
The theme of the 16th edition of the event, You are not alone in this, had the ambition to speak into any loneliness, that God has promised to be with us all the days until the end of time. Father Provincial spoke to the participants about the Ukrainian Redemptorist Fathers Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Helet who were captured by the Russian army because they did not want to leave their faithful abandoned. After their release, they testified that the most difficult thing for them was not the physical suffering, but the experience of being alone. In this experience, they understood how someone in such a state of mind could want to commit suicide. Jesus Christ and his closeness, the closeness of the brothers and sisters who prayed for them – this gave them the strength to survive. And Jesus Christ wants to be just as close to the young people who are experiencing loneliness today, so that they may know that they are not alone.
You are not alone in this is also an invitation to live with the people of God, with brothers and sisters, which is why the My Fam Community Town was presented at each venue. The lay redemptorist communities were also present, offering information about their activities and inviting the young people to their meetings.
In addition to the excellent Slovak and Czech artists, a large team of volunteers helps with the Godzone tour every year. Our lay associates were also actively involved as team members throughout the week, especially the Young River community, the next generation whose parents are members of one of the oldest Slovak lay communities, The River of Life.
The Godzone Tour is an original music and dance program filled with prayer, testimonies, worship, theater, and innovative video production. It is known for its high-level productions and this year many Slovak professional artists have collaborated as well.
Redemptorists, the Province of Bratislava-Prague
Photos © Godzone https://www.facebook.com/godzonesk
