Sao Paulo (Brazil). From 28 to 30 August 2023, at the Padre Vitor Coelho de Almeida Event Center in Aparecida, São Paulo, the National Meeting of the Brazil Salesian Network (RSB) will be held, aimed at more than 400 educators, directors, and collaborators of the presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from all over Brazil.
Where are the young people? “Come and see,” is the theme and In the “sacrament of presence” is the motto of this first meeting with representatives of the various sectors of Salesian activity throughout the country, with the aim of listening to the “cry of the young,” to identify the current scenarios and appeals to young people and to study together the Salesian secret for educating and evangelizing.
Specifically, the trends and opportunities for working with young people will be taken into consideration on the basis of the study of the Framework of Reference (SDB and FMA) for Salesian Youth Ministry and the Youth Ministry Plan of the Church in Brazil.
Thematic workshops are also planned, including: Living in social networks, Social and political participation, and Care for the common home.
Among the speakers will be: Fr. Miguel Ángel García, General Councilor for Youth Ministry of the Salesians of Don Bosco; Sr. Ivone Goulart Lopes, collaborator of the Youth Ministry Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; and Msgr. Nelson Francelino Ferreira, former President of the Commission for Youth Ministry of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB).
The event aims to arouse resonances in the participants and to encourage the sharing of ideas. For this, it will end with the concrete gestures of elaborating proposals at provincial and national level and with the publication of a Manifesto for young people, to give continuity to the reflections and the commitment to respond to the wishes of contemporary youth.
The Brazil Salesian Network is a vast movement in favor of young people, recognized nationally and internationally for its educational and pastoral practices in the most diverse sectors. It represents the union of forces between the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), and numerous collaborators throughout the Country, committed to spreading the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
It is responsible for animating and unifying the work guidelines and processes of 100 schools, 15 universities, 103 social works, and 11 communication centers throughout Brazil.
