By Fr. Antonio Leung, SDB
Torino – Hong Kong, 16 August 2015 - Nine leaders of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM, Hong Kong – China province) from different settings participated the celebrations of the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco in Turin and Becchi and had truly exciting experience to share the same spirit with the Salesian youth from all over the world (exactly from 58 countries).
Before going to Italy, they had attended three formation gatherings in Hong Kong animated by the Salesians of the provincial Youth Ministry team. The topics included:
- To know Don Bosco and the situation of the youth today
- The principles of the Don Bosco Preventive System and
- The Salesian youth movement in the China Province, past and present
On the 5th of August, they arrived at Rome to have a pilgrimage of the City of Faith (Rome and Vatican) in order to deepen their faith. They also visited the Basilica of Sacred Heart and Don Bosco’s room where they had an excellent welcoming by the local SDB community (Rector Fr. Valerio).
Second step on their pilgrimage lead them to Turin, first to have a one day spiritual recollection to deepen their identity as Salesian Youth leaders. After that, they joined all the activities of the meeting of the Don Bosco SYM 2015 ‘Like Don Bosco – With the Young – For the Young’.
During the pilgrimage trip, they had numerous occasions to share among themselves. Some said that they admired the welcoming of the Italian Salesian confreres and the care of the local volunteers. They can feel the family spirit. Another mentioned that they not only know Don Bosco but could feel the presence of Him nowadays. The messages of the Don Bosco SYM 2015 meeting were simple but can enlighten their hearts. Some said that they made many friends and learned how to be a leader from the other youth of other 58 countries.
Every day the members of "The Record Group" wrote a brief article and posted it on the SYM – CIN Facebook (慈幼青年運動)中華會省 Salesian Youth Movement (China Province). On one hand it is a record for the participants to remember their experience. On the other hand, it is a chance to share the messages with the other Salesian youth in the China Province. Also by accident their photo taken in the playground of Valdocco – Turin, with the Rector Major Fr.Ángel in front of the Don Bosco Rooms, was published in the Italian newspaper.
On the last day, they made a decision and a plan to renew their identity in order to become an authentic animators of the Salesian Youth Movement in the China Province so that the spirit of Don Bosco and his "Dream of China" can be realized.
