Turin (Italy).From 11 to 16 August 2024, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco’s Dream at 9 years of age, 376 participants, including 292 young delegates from all over the world, as well as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and Salesians of Don Bosco, gathered in Turin-Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco (Asti) to celebrate together the Salesian Youth Synod (SYS), an experience of prayer, common life, and reflection on Salesian Youth Spirituality, promoted by the Youth Ministry sector.
From August 9 to 11, the Synod participants were welcomed at Valdocco, with the possibility of guided visits to the places of Don Bosco. On 11 August, after the Opening Ceremony and the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the group moved to Colle Don Bosco for the second part of the synodal experience.
Here, in the places that gave birth to the Saint of the young, the formative experience on the Dream at Nine Years of age continued through well-curated moments with the involvement of the young people together with FMA and SDB from different cultures and parts of the world. Also significant was the possibility of the sacrament of Reconciliation offered in different languages.
The program of the days – marked by times for the Rosary, adoration, Eucharistic Celebration, celebration of the Word of God, Good Night, recreation – included moments of personal reading of the Instrumentum laboris and work in ‘small circles’, together with sharing in the plenary assembly for the young participants and also for the FMA and SDB present at the Synod.
To facilitate the work of the young people on the Instrumentum Laboris, the Secretary General, a young person from the core group, illustrated in the first assembly on 13 August, the procedures to be adopted during the sessions, namely the discussion on the three parts of the working document, to then draft the main guidelines of the final document at the end of the Synod. On this occasion, the regulation of the plenary assembly was also presented, together with the methods for voting and approving the final document.
Given the international nature of the Synodal Assembly, the work on the Instrumentum Laboris was conducted in linguistic groups. However, the language of the speakers in the plenary session was English, which is why all sessions included translation services into 5 official languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.
The formative experience was highly appreciated by the youth, as expressed by a young man from India. “Participating in the Salesian Youth Synod was a deeply moving experience. It provided me with a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded people, deepen my faith, and gain new insights into the Salesian mission. The sense of unity and shared purpose among the participants was truly inspiring and strengthened my commitment to serve the youth of my community. The Synod also served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation in all aspects of life. The teachings and reflections shared during the event left a lasting impact, motivating me to continue growing in faith and service.” (Dominic Basumatary – ING Guwahati Province)
On 13 August, the participants experienced a strong charismatic moment with the blessing of the Prato dei Sogni (Field of Dreams) by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, in the presence of the Mayor of Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Sandro Pertini:
“In due time you will understand everything”… One of the moments in which we participated as a synodal community was the inauguration of the Field of Dreams, very significant due to the presence of representatives from Salesian realities from all over the world, a concrete sign that the Charism and the Plan of God for Johnny Bosco indicated in that supernatural vision/intervention have become reality for many Young People from different cultures”. (Sister Luigina Silvestrini – FMA of Italy)
The presence of the Rector Major, at the end of his mandate, was for the young participants and the consecrated men and women a beautiful testimony of a Salesian life, of “Don Bosco today” in their midst. “It was truly a blessing to participate in the Synod and meet so many beautiful young people, FMA, and SDB from all over the world! It was like being in Salesian heaven for a week! Seeing the Rector Major in the courtyard every day playing volleyball and talking to the young people was very edifying. It was a great reminder that no matter how many responsibilities and work we have, there is always time to be with the young people. The Synod was an unforgettable experience that left my heart full of joy and gratitude for being part of the Salesian Congregation!” (Sr. Sydney -FMA- United States)
The testimony of another FMA present at the Synod: “It was an enriching and beautiful moment to be with the Salesian Family and work together for the young people. By listening to their dreams, their needs and life experiences, and sharing our dreams, we learned to know each other. It was also beautiful to work together with SDB and FMA, even though we had different languages. The moments of prayer and motivational speeches on Don Bosco were also very well prepared. Being together with the young people helped me to see that we are alive and that the Dream of Don Bosco is also alive.” (Sr. Jue – FMA – Cambodia)
Although the focus of the Synod was on reflection and dialogue with young people, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesians present at the Synod had the task of drafting the Decalogue. This work was born from the question posed to the FMA and SDB Youth Ministry teams of all the Provinces of the world: What can we do to effectively and concretely help young people realize their dreams in life? The Decalogue is intended to be a testimony of unity, communion, and a shared journey together in the synodal commitment. Later, there will be an official publication of the Decalogue with the post-synodal document of young people that will be translated into the five official languages of the Synod.
The synodal event culminated in the celebration of the “Birthday of Don Bosco”, with the Feast – a pure explosion of Salesian joy – on the evening of 15 August, the vigil, and with the concluding Eucharist presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, “All over the world today this Feast of Don Bosco is celebrated, a reason to say thank you to the Lord because from that 1879, when some boys said to Don Bosco, ‘yes, we want to walk the path with you’, until today it is a reality supported by God and the Spirit only asks of us fidelity. Fidelity to the Lord Jesus and fidelity to this beautiful Charism.”
At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, in a solemn and moving moment, Fr. Ángel signed his resignation, ending his service as Rector Major of the Congregation and of the Salesian Family.
Photos: Flickr FMA
