Maputo (Mozambique). On 5 March 2022, at St. John Bosco House in Infulene, Maputo, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of St. John Bosco Province (MOZ) experienced a day of formation. Young people from Matola, Infulene, Namaacha and Jardim were present.
The meeting began with the words of welcome from the Provincial Vicar, Sr. Carolina Ilda Hermínio, and the Provincial Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Sr. Ana Dorcas Chaquisse.
In his homily for the Eucharistic Celebration, Fr. Francisco Pescador, Salesian of Don Bosco of Mary Help of Christians Province (MOZ), referring to the Gospel passage of Levi’s call (Lk 5: 27-32), reminded young people that when Jesus calls it is necessary to follow Him and that He favors the needy. For this reason, following Jesus is to take care of those who are most in difficulty. “The Psalm says: Show me, Lord, your way (Ps 85). It is a way of love, which can be lived in daily life, in the family, at work, the Way is a Person, Jesus Christ”.
The SYM treasurer then presented the pastoral theme for the year 2021-2022: “Do everything through love, nothing though constraint” (St. Francis de Sales). On the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales, he stressed that charitable actions are not done ‘through constraint’ or out of convenience, but for Christ and in Christ, by loving one’s neighbor. During the presentation, different experiences of practicing charity in daily life were shared, starting with little things.
A second formative theme was that of Ecology in digital environments, presented by Sr. Anastância Simbe, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, FMA, Provincial Coordinator of Communication. Sister Anastância, after having illustrated the contemporary scenario, addressed some important issues for both young people and adults, such as the long permanence on social networks, the sharing of non-constructive information, addiction to social networks, and other problems related to the network.
In the afternoon, the formation continued with the theme of “Group Dynamics”, presented by a young man with the assistance of Sr. Ana Dorcas Chaquisse. Studying the dynamics of animation was very useful for the animators present for learning useful techniques to involve the group.
In conclusion, a young woman, SYM coordinator, presented the program of SYM meetings and events. The formation ended with greetings and a closing prayer. The young people lived a very significant experience and the desire emerged to immediately dedicate themselves to evangelization and animation activities without waiting any longer. “With Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, I do everything with love!”, is the slogan that will accompany them throughout the year.
