Nothing ever spoke to my heart as Jesus did
I was born in Omsk, Russia, but we moved when I was very young. I grew up all my life in Toronto. I was raised atheist, but in my teen years, my interest in spirituality and mysticism grew. I’ve explored many spiritual directions and groups. Nothing ever spoke to my heart as Jesus did. He said simply and truly. He was there when I needed Him most. His Mother was there when I needed her compassion most, in times of darkness and hopelessness. “He was there when I needed Him most” There was a situation where I finally came face to face with how broken my way was, how broken my heart was. 2023 summer. My deepest desire was crushed, ...

How a block party transformed a young adult’s life in Williamsburg
Hi everyone, my name is Eric and this is my testimony: It’s early 2022. I’m in my room alone and I’m about to do something I’m not proud of. When suddenly, I hear a strong voice warn me: “If you do that, I’ll leave you and never be by your side.” I gulp. “Huh … What was THAT?!? Am I hearing voices?!? I look around but clearly no one’s here.  And then … something deep down tells me it’s … … God’s voice.  I don’t know how I know. I just do. And when it hits me that God Himself — the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings — might’ve just given me an ultimatum … I do ...

Risen with Christ – Anthony Fiducia’s testimony
Originally from New York, Anthony was made a new person after experiencing the endless love of God. His life was deeply marked and transformed by the power of Christ. In the early ’90s, Mom was doing her best to raise five of us while dad worked hard but wasn’t really present. His message was: “Figure it out yourself.” Like many teens, I craved freedom, but without direction, I spiraled into self-destruction. Getting high became my escape—I lied, stole, and cheated to feed my habit. Eventually, I was sent to rehab, but I kept leaving, living on the streets or wherever I could crash. I finally returned and, with great difficulty, completed the program. It was a secular place, but my ...

Testimony of Love and Gratitude: Shalom Madagascar Mission Trip
A group of young people from Shalom Catholic Community in the United States went on a mission trip to Madagascar to get to know, to immerse themselves in and support the project The Space of Peace, a project of the Shalom Community in Madagascar. Mayline, a member of the Shalom Work in Boston, shared her experience during those days. Take a look: “Hi everyone! I’ve had the privilege of serving at Shalom Madagascar for a Mission trip with Shalom NY; we’ve been here for almost a week now. We spent one day in the capital of Madagascar (Antananarivo) and then the rest of the days at Shalom Madagascar in Antsiranana, which is in the countryside. From the very first day ...

From Hungary to New York: A Mission that Transformed My Life and Renewed My Vocation
My name is Andrea, and I am a covenant community missionary from Hungary. Two years ago, I began my mission in New York, living as part of the life community. In October 2022, just before the Feast of Saint John Paul II, I arrived to join this community as it celebrated its second anniversary in this vibrant city. I truly believe it was a gift of grace that God sent me on mission in October—a month dedicated to missionary work and to honoring saints who are great patrons of our vocation in the Shalom community. I come from a Greek Catholic family with strong traditions, where faith and family were inseparable. Growing up, this faith was a constant in my ...

To the ends of the world
Darija, Dominika and Ada participate in Acamps Summer Festival 2024 in Ferrara (Italy). Arriving from Slovakia, China and Croatia, they tell us how they got to know the Community and their experience with the love of God through the Shalom Charism that expands without borders.

What a joy to touch God’s mercy through the Pope’s life and words at this WYD
From the moment it was announced, WYD in Lisbon was on my mind, mainly because of my great desire to visit the Shrine of Fatima, due to my devotion to this title of Our Lady. In the midst of this journey, many things happened: a pandemic, the end of my university degree and an irresistible call from God to take my life completely out of my control (there I was, setting off on a mission as a Life Community). Every now and then I would think back to this meeting with young people from all over the world and wonder if it would be possible to go, after all, the financial part was an obvious thing to think about and ...