By Don Bosco Green Alliance (DBGA)

       EAO Region, 24 May 2021 -- The large global movement within and beyond the Catholic Church inspired by the 2015 Encyclical of Pope Francis 'Laudato Si' has also reached our EAO Salesian Youth. At the end of the Laudato Si Year (May 24,2020-2021) the EAO Don Bosco Green Alliance members organized first online DBGA Youth Gathering on May 23rd at 15:30 (Hong Kong time).

       The event, carefully prepared by the EAO 'ECO team' since March, brought together some 50 registered members for almost two hours on Pentecost Sunday. Due to a less than stable internet connection, this time the main Zoom platform was administered not from Cebu, but from Hong Kong. With the strong support of AUL, FIN, FIS and CIN province members this event was a clear success from many points of view.

       Thanks to the Earth Day (April 22) prepared prayer video involving young people from all 12 EAO province there was a clear feeling of 'being one EAO-DB Green Alliance family' (now already with 84 members in 15 EAO countries). An inspirational talk was shared by Fr Ronilo Javines (FIN, Rector of Mandaluyong) on the main dynamics of the Laudato Si encyclical, accessible to young people. The presence of three young Bosconians from Don Bosco Bangkok (THA), and the Rector at Tetere-Solomon Islands (PGS), the whole group of Anisakan-Nazareth House boys (MYM) and a wonderful prayer service prepared by Australia-Pacific YM Delegate (AUL) - everyone contributed to the amazing impact on all participants. At the end of the program the EAO Regional Councillor, Fr. Joseph Phuoc offered his strong support and appreciation for the journey of EAO Salesian Youth and their animators.

       Indeed the Laudato Si year has come to an end, but another 7-year journey has already been announced by the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Development, with the commissioning of 'Laudato Si Animators' by Filipino Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle (Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples) and launching of the new digital platform for Laudato Si programs already announced 12 month ago. We are glad to see also one Salesian confrere, Fr. Johstrom from India, among the central team. Ecological conversion is just starting and our young people are beginning to care for their sustainable future. Laudato Si!

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