About Vida Nueva

Vida Nueva Essentials

ESSENTIALS OF THE PREWEEKEND PHASE

1.     That candidates be sponsored by a VN informed adult and/or teen who knows the candidate well enough to fill out the
sponsor application.

2.     That the candidate show no open rebellion to the Lord.

3.     That candidates be accepted with application and sponsorship forms.

4.     That the candidates be at least 15 years of age and no older than 20 by the first day of the weekend.

ESSENTIALS OF THE VIDA NUEVA WEEKEND

1.     That it embodies personal witness.

2.     That the Spiritual Directors be qualified to teach and counsel in spiritual matters.

3.     That at least one of the Spiritual Directors on the weekend be ordained to regularly celebrate Holy Communion.

4.     That there be at least two Spiritual Directors on the weekend, who will remain available for counseling.

5.     If possible, team members should represent a spectrum of Christian denominations

6.     That the Director be a layperson and be responsible for all aspects of the weekend under the authority of the local VN
Council.

7.     That team members have previously completed a Tres Dias, Chrysalis, TEC, or similar weekend approved by the local VN  
        Council.

8.     That the team meet, as a team, four to eight times prior to the weekend, to promote community, receive instructions on
weekend dynamics and responsibilities, and critique all talks.

9.     That the team and candidates live in a cloistered environment for the entire weekend.

10.   That chapel visits by table will occur.

11.   That all talks and meditations follow the dynamic and outlines authorized by the VN Council.

12.   That the lay talks be informal talks of a witnessing or sharing nature.

13.   That the weekend consist of three themes, Dying Day, Rising Day, and Going Forth Day.

14.   That the taking of Holy Communion be optional.

IMPORTANT AREAS OF CONSIDERATION

1.     In relation to the Spiritual Director:

   A. That neither he/she nor his/her assistants interfere with the proper functioning of the Vida Nueva weekend to fulfill other
       obligations or personal devotions.

2.     In relation to the Director:

   A. That he/she is the person responsible for the Vida Nueva weekend.
   B. That he/she give the preliminary talk (Director's remarks).
   C. That he/she make any necessary announcements during the weekend.
   D. That he/she maintain personal contact with each team member and candidate.

3.     In relation to the other team members:

   A. That they all be present during all phases of the weekend.
   B. That they help with necessary tasks, such as waiting on tables, and that they do so very naturally.        
   C. That they make every effort to know the candidates by name.
   D. That they try to create a gradual environment of animation in the weekend.
   E. That the night meetings not be unnecessarily prolonged.
   F. That they contact as many candidates as possible a month or six weeks after the weekend.

4.     In relation to the talks:

   A. That they follow the ideas contained in the outlines.  Personal testimonies are used to enhance and extend the
       outlines, but they must NEVER add new ideas or change the ideas contained in the outlines.  
   B. The order of the talks must not be changed.
   C. That the length of each talk be prudent   long enough to get the ideas across, but not unnecessarily prolonged.
   D. That the talks emphasize the different phases of Vida Nueva.
   E. That the essential slogans, comparisons, and other key ideas which are traditional to Vida Nueva, not be
       changed, giving due consideration to their importance in clarifying the main message.
   F. That speakers not use ideas and comparisons which are part of another talk.

5.     In relation to the candidates:

   A. That they are properly distributed at the tables.
   B. That they take notes and participate in drawing posters.        
   C. That they experience a group reunion before the weekend is over (Chapel visit).

6.     In relation to the various elements of the weekend:

   A. That the different rooms be properly distributed.
   B. That the weekend not begin at a late hour.        
   C. That the palanca letters be read (most, if not all).

7.     In relation to the closing (Clausura):

   A.  That only those who have a completed a weekend or those approved by
   B. The VN Council be allowed to attend.        
   C. That the Director aim the closing toward the proper objectives.

IT IS ACCIDENTAL

1.     The number of people at each table (not to exceed 9).
2.     Jokes are not recommended during the Vida Nueva Weekend.
3.     That a group photograph be taken.
4.     That a morning serenade (team only) be held.