San Paolo (Brazil). On 19 October 2024 in São Paulo, Santa Teresina House of Salesian of don Bosco hosted the 24th edition of FEST, the largest Salesian Youth Festival in Brazil, organized each year by the Daughters of Mary Help of God and the Salesians of Don Bosco.
More than 4,000 young people from São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso do Sul participated in this meeting of joy under the banner of Salesian spirituality on the theme, “When we dream together, it is only the beginning of reality”, to encourage young people to walk, dream, and transform the world.
After the reception of the many groups, there was a Eucharistic Celebration, presided by the Provincial of N. S. Auxiladora Province (BSP), Father Alexandre Luis de Oliveira, with the participation of the Provincial of BAP, Sister Alaíde Deretti, and many SDB and FMA.
After the celebration, the performance of the “School of Samba Don Bosco” in Itaquera warmed up the atmosphere and involved young people, also presenting the plot of Carnival 2025: “The mystical circus of illusions”.
Despite the rainy weather, Sister Teresa Cristina Pisani Domiciano, Provincial Coordinator of Youth Ministry, highlighted the “sun” radiated by young people. “The FEST, as everyone knows, is joy, movement, dynamism of Salesian youth. Even if the weather is cloudy and rainy, here there is a lot of sun, because there is a lot of energy, joy, and liveliness. And this is how we see FEST 2024: dreaming with young people, we go forward”.
Fr. Cláudio Motta, Provincial Delegate for the YM, expressed his joy for a new year with the Salesian Youth and his expectations for the next year when the FEST will celebrate 25 years of history:
“To speak of FEST is to talk about the celebration of life, of the beautiful moment that we are living here and that animates us for the next year, when we will live the 25th anniversary of FEST. (…) Our joy is to be able to say to the young: Don Bosco is with you; Mother Mazzarello intercedes from heaven for all the young people. (…) This is FEST”.
During the day, young people participated in a series of recreational and cultural activities, with artistic exhibits, challenges in sports disciplines, but also moments of socialization and access to the “Vocational Tent”, where they were able to express and clarify their doubts about the Christian vocational path.
The activities were aimed at strengthening links between young people and took place in a fun and learning atmosphere. During the event, they also experienced a special moment with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, another opportunity for reflection and spiritual relationship.
For the young people, FEST is much more than a meeting. It is a real opportunity to strengthen their own Christian journey, as well as to create bonds of friendship and live the Salesian charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
Photos:
parabens pela linda iniciativa realizada a tanto tempo com tantos jovens e uma semente forte do carisma na alegria de partilhar dons Parabens ruma aos 25 anos !