By Viet SC

       Dalat, Vietnam, 2 May 2023 -- On April 29, 2023, at Don Bosco Post-novitiate in Da Lat City, more than 350 Don Bosco students from Saigon, Can Tho and Da Lat attended the 1st Don Bosco Student Congress organized by the Youth Ministry Department.

       From 7:30 a.m., the students began to gather at the Don Bosco Da Lat common room to enter the meeting and exchange activities. Father Martino Tran That Bao said the purpose of this congress was to celebrate the 30th, 15th and 5th anniversary of the establishment of student Boarding Houses in Saigon, Da Lat and Can Tho. The congress aimed to create connection and communion between Don Bosco students and promote comprehensive education for young people. Present at the Congress, apart from Salesians, were Don Bosco alumni, and Cooperators who were accompanying the students.

       After the welcoming ceremony, Father Toma Vu Kim Long - Rector of the Don Bosco Da Lat Community, who was also the founder of Don Bosco Student Boarding House in Saigon 30 years ago expressed his pleasure at welcoming students from 3 regions of Saigon, Can Tho and Da Lat to attend the 1st Congress of Students of Don Bosco Vietnam. Father Toma thought that this was a gift that God has given students, hoping they would take this opportunity to strengthen their friendship, live joyfully and dedicate themselvs as Don Bosco has set the example.

       Next, Father Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh - Head of the Youth Ministry Department of the Salesian Province of Don Bosco Vietnam, shared the theme of the Congress: LIVE “ONE WAY”. That means students must live, must share the same direction, a path to live abundantly.

       Father Nicola Long Ho asked God to sanctify the Congress and announced the opening of the first Don Bosco Student Congress in 2023. After the dance and the theme song, the students joyfully welcomed the Salesian Provincial of Don Bosco Vietnam – Barnabas Le An Phong. Father Provincial shared with students the theme: "For eternal youth". Let each person realize that he is a person, each person has differences, but let's follow the same path to maturity, to dedicate ourselves to serving, not to lose our youth.

       At 10:30, Father Provincial presided at the thanksgiving Mass, and concelebrated with the superiors, the priests accompanying the students. In his homily, Father Provincial highlighted two things: Students, who are being loved and to love others.

       In the afternoon of the same day the students were divided into teams to meet, exchange and share about life and activities and participate in Talkshow: Don Bosco Student – A journey Don Bosco lives for young people.

       In the evening, the students attended the gala celebration and enjoyed the musical performances to celebrate the 30th birthday and participate in the winning lottery.

       The Don Bosco Student Congress program ended at 8.30 pm, and student representatives expressed their gratitude to the Provincial, superiors, and every one.

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