Dalat City, Vietnam, 19 July 2022 -- The training program for leaders of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) was organized by the Provincial Youth Ministry Commission on July 16 and 17, 2022 at the Don Bosco Da Lat Community.
There were 74 participants, who were representatives of different works and groups of the Salesian communities: oratories, youth groups, students, aspirants, migrants, catechists, Salesian volunteers' group ‘Heart in hand'.
The opening Mass at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, was celebrated by Fr. Barnabas Le An Phong, Provincial. Concelebrating with him were the Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Fr. Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh, Provincial Delegate for Missions and Rector of Don Bosco Da Lat Community, Fr. Thomas Vu Kim Long, the Provincial Economer, Fr. Nicolas Kieu Long Ho, members of the Youth Ministry Commission and those accompanying the SYM leaders.
The SYM leader training program is divided into 3 parts over 3 years. The content of the first training consists of three aspects: 1-Salesian spirituality: the Preventive system; 2-The current state of young people: challenges and hopes; and 3-Learning about SYM, plans from the Congregation, EAO Region and the Vietnam Province.
In the morning of the first day, the participants learned about contents 1 and 2 presented by 2 members of the Youth Ministry Commission, Fr. Xuan Quang and Br. Hong Phuoc. After lunch, everyone joined the journey to climb Langbiang mountain. After an exciting climbing experience, everyone had dinner at the foot of the mountain and had a meaningful and joyful gong cultural exchange. The exchange helped everyone understand more about the culture of the ethnic groups living in Langbiang mountains and surrounding areas.
On the morning of the second day, Fr. Quang Minh presented the participants with the third content. After that, a representative of the participants in the training program expressed their gratitude to the Salesians in the organizing committee, to the rector, the economer and Don Bosco Da Lat community, and to each other, for the great success of the first meeting in the 3-year training program for SYM leaders. Concluding with a song of thanksgiving to God and spontaneous prayers by the participants.
It is hoped that with what they have learned and the interesting and joyful experiences of the training program, the participants will become lively, enthusiastic and capable cores at works and groups at different Salesian local communities.
