MISSION IN ASIA
Vol. XV
No. 11
December 2003
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Crossing Over
BRAVE YOUTH AT THE SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL
These young people are known as Zetaman, a word that means “brave”, “zealous”. Although they carry out their ministry in various dioceses of the country, their birthplace is Taunggyi, the diocese where this experience begun sixteen years ago.
Service anywhere
In 1987, twenty-five young people of various parishes of the diocese took part in a course of introduction to the Bible and in a workshop where different projects of rural development were presented to their consideration. From this event, the group of the Zetaman began to take shape. Today in Taunggyi alone there are one hundred and fifty of them.
The Zetaman are young people of both sexes, with at least 18 years of age, who accept to be at the service of the Church for three years and to be sent wherever there is need. The agreement of their parents, the presentation by a priest and good health are the only conditions required, beside, of course, the readiness and willingness to “carry out any service for anybody and anywhere”.
Involving the young
The driving idea behind the Zetaman group is the intention to involve the young people in the evangelization work of the Church, a challenge that the Pope has been frequently emphasizing. It is an experience that cannot count on many material and financial resources but finds its strength in the spirit of sacrifice of those who join in the initiative. It is a project of a local Church that is poor but ready to challenge her young people into an experience of concrete service.
The “little evangelizers” undergo a period of preparation lasting for three months, during which time they study the Bible, Church history, Christian ethics, English, music, first aid and household care.
Journey of faith
However, becoming a Zetaman it is not just about acquiring some knowledge and some useful skills. It is even more a journey of faith in which the young people answer the call of the Spirit in their hearts, a call to service and total dedication to the Gospel. Thus, these young people agree to commit themselves to poverty, chastity, obedience, spirit of collaboration, humility and an intense life of prayer.
Little seed
Sent two by two or in a very small group, the Zetaman work mostly in the rural area and in non-Christian villages, where they reside for long periods of time. Those who welcome them provide just a hut and the daily food. Then they start their work, which consists of simple tasks like the informal education of the children, especially through songs, music and games; courses of hygiene and first aid for the adults and, when possible, some moments of catechesis.
The Zetaman share the harsh life of the people to whom they are sent. Often they have to cover long distances on foot; sometimes they experience lack of food, clothes and medical care. Some of them, during their time of service, even died of malaria. However, this life of sacrifice does not scare them. In 1995, some young women asked to continue to serve the Church according to the same spirit they had learned when belonging to the Zetaman community. With them, a new local congregation of sisters was born: the little seed planted in Tauggyi continues to live and bear fruit.<WM
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