(ANS – Turin) – Young people were the center of attention in the third of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days, sharing in that space the experiences and intuitions lived and matured in the Salesian Synod of Young People, which took place from 11 to 16 August 2024 in Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco. The theme, inspired by this year’s bonus, highlighted the relevance of a dream that inspires hope and transforms hearts, turning wolves into lambs.
The presentation was articulated in two main segments: a forum with five young participants of the Synod and then workshops led by the same five individuals, each accompanied by a Salesian priest or by a Sister Daughter of Mary Help of Christians who participated in the event.
At the beginning of the forum, a video showed key moments of the Salesian Youth Synod, preparing the ground for the presentation of the young participants. Next, Diletta Ferri (Italy), Maria Meccariello (Italy), Teaghan Dolan (Australia), Juan Sebastián Moya Sandoval (Colombia) and Pablo Osorio Delgado (Spain) responded to specific questions that allowed them to share valuable reflections and insights.
Maria Meccariello described the Synod as a moving experience, highlighting the unity among young people, guided by the same Salesian charism and a genuine desire to find the Lord, despite cultural and linguistic differences. The moment of Eucharistic Adoration became an experience of true brotherhood before God, where hearts were united in a silent prayer full of love.
Juan Sebastián Moya Sandoval expressed his hope of finding a space where young people could freely express their opinions and seek solutions to shared concerns. The Synod exceeded their expectations, characterized by deep and enriching dialogues, active listening and a strong sense of solidarity among participants.
Pablo Delgado spoke of his inspirations, highlighting Don Bosco’s sacrifice for young people, his faith in their dreams and his ability to instill hope. He also highlighted Mother Mazzarello’s vision of holiness, rooted in total dedication to others, emphasizing that both figures are beacons of inspiration capable of changing the world, starting with those most in need.
Diletta Ferri shared the beauty of working at the Instrumentum Laboris, where young people’s dreams for themselves, for the Church and for society were collected and refined through their experiences. One dream that particularly impacted her was the call for a Salesian Church and Family that fully supports young people in all aspects of their lives.
Teaghan Dolan, finally, emphasized the family nature of the Salesian charism, urging the Salesian Family to maintain its family aspect as young people transition into adulthood. As youth needs evolve, the Salesian Family should also adapt in the way it accompanies young people through the various stages of life.
The forum concluded with a sincere encouragement from the young participants to the Salesian Family, urging it to be a welcoming home, a Church that evangelizes, a school that educates for life and a playground to grow in friendship and joy. In this way, their dreams can become hopes anchored in Christ, always present in the lives of young people, and make them true pilgrims on a path to travel together.
After singing and dancing to the song “In the Shape of Your Dream”, the official anthem of the Salesian Youth Synod, all participants moved to their respective workshops in their own language.
Each workshop was led by a young participant together with a Salesian of Don Bosco or an FMA – specifically, Sister Michela Consolandi, Herlinda Palomino, Sister Laura Marcela Melara Cordova, Don Francisco Cervantes and Don Joebeth Vivo.
The workshop topics chosen by the young people were: Faith and Relationship with Christ; Salesian Spirituality and Holiness; Listening to Young People; Youth Protagonism; and the Church and the Salesian Family as Credible Guides.
Overall, the forum and workshops offered beautiful opportunities for the Salesian Family to recognize and value the voices of young people in the Salesian Youth Movement. The experience was enriching and inspiring, sowing seeds of hope in the hearts and minds of all participants. These dreams of the young people will surely anchor the entire Salesian Family in Christ during this jubilee year, favoring a joint pilgrimage.
