By Fr. Moreno Filipetto, SDB

Turin, Italy - The events of the Bicentenary of Saint John Bosco will reach a climax in August with SYM Don Bosco 2015 and with the solemn closing of the celebration of this jubilee year for the Salesian Congregation (The words of the Rector Major Fr Ángel Artime).

The meeting of the Salesian Youth Movement will take place 10 – 16 August 2015 in Turin and Colle Don Bosco. It will be an important opportunity for discussion and prayer and a chance to meet others. 5000 young people from Salesian Houses all over the world will gather in the birthplace of their patron saint. They will reflect on the relevance today of the charism and educational system that has spread from Turin to the whole world, and on the best way to continue to make it alive and fruitful through their commitment and contribution.

The theme of the gathering – Like-With-For (Like Don Bosco, With young people and For young people) will offer participants an opportunity to study and share, and to look to the future of the Salesian Youth Movement. The theme reinforces the identity of a movement that is growing and expanding in the various continents, along the lines of their commitment to "do good to their peers". It hopes to strengthen the level of commitment of the various social groups on behalf of those who are most disadvantaged, and to develop educative proposals for ongoing formation in leadership and animation.

SYM Don Bosco 2015 is part of a programme at world level with the participation of 4,400 young people from 51 different countries, accompanied by 260 Salesians also from many different countries.

According to Fr Fabio Attard, General Councillor for Youth Ministry:

"The legacy of this Bicentenary Year should be a renewal in the heart of each of us of the fire that burned in the heart of our Father and Teacher Don Bosco… We are convinced that this year is a year of grace in which, first of all, we are called to give glory to God for the gift of Don Bosco and the Salesian charism. We also hope that this year we will be renewed in our passion for young people so that we can give hope, confidence and joy to the many young people who are still waiting for us”.

Still in the words of Fr Attard, “The days will be made up of moments of prayer, listening, sharing and celebration. The most important times of reflection will be the morning sessions of the first three days. On the fourth day the emphasis will be on the sacrament of Confession. The afternoons and evenings of these four days will include visits to the Salesian places and to places associated with the Saints of Turin who engaged in the social apostolate, as well as a visit to the Shroud of Turin. 15 August is a day of pilgrimage in preparation for the vigil on 16 August - the day of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco.”

The complete program is available on the official website.