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Cursillo-related Movements > Youth Movements > Vida Nueva

Vida Nueva

Vida Nueva (spanish expression for "New Life") is an ecumenical, evangelical Christian retreat weekend and movement for teenagers, encouraging them to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and to live as Christians.

Vida Nueva's History starts with TEC - Teens Encounter Christ.  The first Vida Nueva was held in 1976 at the Our Lady of Hope (the Oblate
House) in Newburgh, New York.  Mid-Hudson Vida Nueva used TEC as a model for its retreat, with certain modifications  so it would follow the Protestant traditions and meet the needs of their youth.  During the late '70's through the '80's, the Mid-Hudson VN worked with the Chaplains at the West Point Military Academy, to provide for over 20 West Point VN weekends for young Cadets.

In 1990, the North Georgia Tres Dias community, with the assistance of the Emmaus, TEC, and Chrysalis communities, started Vida Nueva in Doraville (Atlanta) Georgia.  Since then, 600 young people have attended North Georgia VN weekends. From that seed, communities have also formed in Tallahassee, Florida, Dallas, Texas, Dahlonega, Georgia, and Macon/Warner Robins, Georgia.  Serious interest in forming local communities is also being expressed from middle Tennessee, and London, England.

The VN weekends start on Friday afternoon and ends the following Sunday evening.   The team leading the weekend is composed of former attendees of Vida Nueva, Cursillo, Tres Dias, Chrysalis or similar weekends.  The talks given mostly by young people, and some by lay adults and clergy, explore basic Christian beliefs to provide those who attend the weekend a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ as they share His love in a dynamic way.  Each talk is discussed by table groups.  Worship during the weekend is in the Protestant tradition.

Those who have attended a Vida Nueva weekend are invited to join a base community or small group, at school or within the parish, in order to pursue their Christian ideal and continue to share on its application in their daily lives.

This information is taken from the Vida Nueva websites, mainly its International site.