Rome (Italy). In view of the XXXVII World Youth Day (WYD) to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1 to 6 August 2023, WYD DON BOSCO 23 is born, the organization of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) which will deal with convocation and participation of young people from Salesian realities from all over the world in WYD.
WYD DON BOSCO 23 invites young people to experience WYD Lisbon 2023 according to Don Bosco’s charism and will accompany all the initiatives and moments planned for the Day, in particular “SYM Day”, the special gathering event for SYM youth.
The motto comes from the combination of three elements:
WYD is the English acronym for World Youth Day, using the English word ‘with’. Don Bosco is the unifying center of the Salesian Family. 23 represents the year of the encounter, 2023.
The logo recalls the presence of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians:
– The basis of the whole logo is the mantle of Mary which seems to ‘embrace’ all the other elements.
– Inside the mantle there are: Don Bosco’s tricorn hat, two crosses, symbols of faith, and a rope, which recalls the leaps and acrobatics that Don Bosco used to capture young people and bring them to the Church, conquering their hearts.
– The yellow band, which appears on the right side of the logo, suggests an upward movement, which invites you to “get up and go”, thus referring to the official motto of WYD in Lisbon 2023: “Mary got up and went quickly.”
This logo will identify the Salesian Youth Movement through the various stages of WYD, motivating young people to walk the path that awaits them as a pilgrimage, to strengthen their faith, and involve other young people, especially the most distant, in the encounter with Christ.
Materials and resources available:
www.wyddonbosco23.pt is the website, in Portuguese and English, where you can find information on Portugal, Lisbon, WYD, and the WYD DON BOSCO 23 organization. It will be regularly updated with new information and news. On the site there are links to social channels: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
An invitation video for SYM youth from all over the world to participate in WYD according to Don Bosco’s charism, conceived, recorded, and interpreted by pupils and past pupils from various Salesian realities in Portugal.
A weekly podcast, which debuted on the Salesian Radio of Portugal on 31 January 2022, the Feast of Don Bosco, takes up in each episode the editions of WYD from 1986 to today, focusing on the messages, the main events, and occurrences that took place, giving the floor to those who have attended or are currently involved in organizing WYD Lisbon 2023. The podcasts will also refer to the history and growth of SYM over the past three decades.
For more information: coord.sym23@salesianos.pt
Source: InfoANS
