Catholic Activities

The full development of a person’s personality also includes its spiritual dimension. As such, Álamos especially highlights this dimension.

Álamos offers the possibility of having spiritual activities, consigned to the Opus Dei Prelature, a Catholic institution founded in 1928 by St. Josemaria Escrivá (1902-1975). This way, those who want this spiritual formation may find a deeper sense in their experience as university students.

All of these activities are optional. Attending them is not a selection criteria or criteria to remain in the residence.

Regularly:

• Weekly meditation, guided by the Residence’s chaplain (every Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.00pm)
• Monthly Recollection (Afternoon of Prayer on the third Wednesday of each month, from 5.15pm to 7.45pm)
• Silent Retreats (annually, check the dates here)
• Confessions and spiritual direction (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during the afternoon, and Saturdays, in the morning)
• Celebration of Holy Mass (Check the days with Álamos)
• Reciting of the Rosary, daily (From Monday to Friday at 10.00pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm)
• Doctrinal formation cycles, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechesis

Weekly, several university students teach catechism, with aims of transmitting to others what they already receive in the spiritual activities they attend. That way, we follow Pope Francis’s appeal in Rio de Janeiro: “Dear youth, the Church is counting on you!”

Store up your training, fill yourself with clear ideas, with the fullness of the Christian message, so that afterwards you can pass it on to others.

St. Josemaría Escrivá, The Forge, 841

WYD

Periodically, World Youth Day, a week-long international meeting of young people with the Pope. These meetings arose from large encounters with the Pope John Paul II in Rome and have since grown and spread to different countries.

WYD has as a core objective the introduction of the Christ’s message to all young people in the world. It is through these young people that the “face” of Christ is shown to the world. This is a unique opportunity to live unity with the Pope, listen to what the Holy Father has to say to young people in person, and to get to know the Church’s youth from around the world.

Álamos has already participated in several of WYD:

• In 2016, in Cracow (Poland)
• In 2011, in Madrid (Spain)
• In 2005, in Cologne (Germany)
• In 2000, in Rome (Italy)
• In 1997, in Paris (France)
• In 1991, in Czestochowa (Poland)
• In 1989, in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)