Dili, Timor-Leste, 17 September 2022 -- The Salesian Youth Movement in the TLS Vice-Province resumes its gathering after two years of interruption due to Covid-19 and its restrictions. Fr. Nelson Gonçalves, SDB as the Delegate of the Youth Ministry in the Vice-Province organizes this event together with the Delegate of the Youth Ministry of the FMA in the person of Sr. Júlia Marçal, FMA with the full support of the Salesians, FMA and all the Salesian Family in the Vice-Province. The young people from different Salesian communities are enthusiastic about this event as they are going to have human and spiritual formation to equip their craving for a future full of hope.

       September 16 is the first day of the event. The participants are coming from a different zone. The young people from different communities are divided into 4 zones. Zone 1 is comprised of the communities of Lospalos and Fuiloro, Zone 2 is constituted of Quelicai and Laga, Zone 3 combined Baucau, Fatumaca, and Venilale while Zone 4 is composed of Dili, Cassa, and Maliana.

       Today, from 3 to 4 pm, the participants are arriving from their respective places for the forum. The youth leaders of Dili youth centers are welcoming their fellows upon their arrival and led them to the tents that have been prepared for them and unloaded their things. After having their rest, in their respective tents, the participants are given a little snack. At 6 pm, all the participants are gathered in the gymnasium of the Centec community for the Eucharistic celebration. The Mass was presided over by the delegate of youth ministry with some 20 concelebrant priests. Fr. Provincial was one of the concelebrant priests. The Provincial of the FMA sisters was there for the Eucharistic celebration with some FMA sisters and their aspirants.

       In the homily, Fr. Nelson quoted Don Bosco’s expression by saying “It is enough that you are young for me to love you very much.” The Salesians, FMA, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, VDB, and all the Salesian Families are together with you here because they love you very much. He added. Further, he mentioned the ministry of Jesus in his contemporary that Jesus walked in and out of different places to save people. To fulfill his mission, Jesus must walk. As well as you dear young people to achieve your dreams and objectives, you must walk, study and work. I am inviting you to enjoy the whole process of that journey. You must fight for a better future as an English expression would say “Success needs sacrifice.” Indeed there is no success without any sacrifice. Fr. Nelson encouraged them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he worked hard to save humankind.

       After the Mass, the activities proceeded to the welcoming remarks from the Provincials of the Salesian and FMA. Fr. Anacleto Pires, SDB in his remarks, welcomed the young people and invited them to thank God because of his grace we could realize this beautiful and meaningful event. Further, he mentioned that since God is love, we have to do everything through love to glorify God and love must be the reason for everything we do. He concluded with a little story to invite young people to value everyone and respect others without pulling down others based on their social status or academic background. Then, in her remarks, the provincial of FMA, Sr. Alma Castagna, FMA telling the young people that each one of us is coming here because you opted for it to come. There is no pressure from others. You are young now and you have full power and freedom to choose to come here. Hence, you must take advantage of this opportunity to enrich yourself as Bosconians. Don’t let any word just pass by without your knowledge. She quoted the words of St. Augustine that says “I am afraid that I am not aware when God passes.” Take advantage of these two days to grow beside Don Bosco and Maria Mazzarello.

       Then, Fr. Nelson presented the talk on the Strenna of the Rector Major for the year 2022 under the topic of “Do everything through love, nothing through constraint.” After the talk of Fr. Nelson, all the participants were served with grand dinner in the refectory of the Centec community. Then followed by some animations and Rosary. After the Rosary, there was MJS TV as the last activity of today’s forum.

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