By Fr. Andre Delimarta, SDB

The Salesian Youth Pastoral Commission of the delegation of Indonesia together with the youth of St John Bosco Parish of Jakarta organized a full week Bosconian Youth Gathering (28june-5july 2015) in celebrating the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco.

Participating in this event were youth leaders coming from all over indonesia where the SDB are working (Jakarta, Tangerang, Serpong, Surabaya, Blitar, Purwodadi, Sumba). The encounter of these youth leaders started with 3 days Youth Leader Formative experience in Tigaraksa, in which they discussed some selected topics from the recently published book: the Salesian Youth Ministry, frame of reference. The full day enjoying the city of Jakarta followed the said event where the youth leaders visited the National Monument, Museums, the Cathedral, the Old City. Then the leaders joined another 150 youth from st. John Bosco Parish for a three days youth camp in an island located just in the north of Jakarta’s coast.

The camp was basically organized by the youth themselves. Talks and games were also formative in nature. In all the activities the SDBs and FMAs were actively involved specially in assisting. The celebration was highlighted with the solemn inculturation of Eucharistic celebration presided by the Provincial of ITM, the delegate and 18 SDBs concelebrating. After the Eucharist, supper and the cultural night followed.

It was a very formative week full of joy, gratitude and friendship. But most of all their love to Don Bosco grew stronger. Advance Happy birthday to our father Don Bosco.