"The dream that makes you dream”

By SC THA

Valdocco, Colle DB Italy, and Bangkok Thailand, 28 August 2024 -- From 11-16 August 2024, the Salesian Youth Synod was held on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s dream as a 9-year-old at Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco, Turin, Italy. The purpose of the meeting was to listen to the voices of the youth, their dreams and aspirations, and to move forward with them in line with the Church (The Synodality of the Church). The event was attended by 376 youth representatives from 93 countries, including two youth representatives from Thailand, Mr. Nattawut Watcharasakpaisan and Mr. Phuwadon Chaisomboon, as well as members of the Salesian Congregation (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), and youth leaders from different continents (Core Group).

The main theme of this assembly is derived from the Rector Major's Strenna, "The dream that makes you dream; A heart that transforms wolves into lambs" and is divided into sub-themes for the five days, namely:

Let’s catch the dream Let’s be part of the dream Let’s enjoy the dream Let’s embrace the dream Let’s live the dream

On the first day, the assembly began with an introduction to the origins of the event and a welcome to the participants by Father Joebeth Vivo (SDB), the Coordinator of the Salesian Youth Assembly. The assembly opened with a prayer and a pilgrimage to the important places of Don Bosco during his life in Valdocco. In the evening, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Superior General of the Salesians, presided over the Holy Eucharist to officially open the Salesian Youth Assembly in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. After dinner, the assembly set off straight to Colle Don Bosco to prepare for the next day’s activities.

The Salesian Youth Assembly at Colle Don Bosco began with a pilgrimage to the place where Don Bosco was born and raised during his youth. This was followed by a period of personal study of the content of the Assembly (Instrumentum Laboris), discussions in small groups, and presentations in the plenary for approval.

To intensify the pursuit of the dream, each day was interspersed with Salesian activities, such as the Youth Rosary, the Sacrament of Confession, the Eucharistic Adoration, magic shows, acrobatics, lectures on Don Bosco's dream, and sharing of experiences of pursuing one's own dream, modeled on the journey of the Apostles with Jesus at Emmaus.

On the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), during the Mass, the religious profession of five Salesians was renewed. They were received by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Superior General of the Salesians. In part of his homily, the Cardinal invited the young people to dare to respond to the voice of God in following him more closely as religious and priests. Afterwards, there was a forum for dialogue between the Rector Major and the young people. The Cardinal answered their questions in a friendly manner. In the evening, the young people celebrated Don Bosco’s birthday together with the Rector Major, Salesians confreres (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). The evening ended with a ceremony to thank the Cardinal for his long dedication as superior and to congratulate him on his new position at the Holy See.

A historic event on the last day of the Salesian Youth Assembly, after the closing Mass in the Sanctuary of St. John Bosco, the end of the apostolic ministry of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime was signed in the presence of the young people from all over the world, the Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as well as a large number of faithful present.

The feelings of the Thai youth representatives who participated in this historical event were seeing the power of the youth around the world who came together to mobilize their ideas so that the voices of the young people who have dreams would be passed on to the Salesians and those involved. They also saw examples of being a Salesian among young men and women in a friendly manner, whether it was the Rector Major, the Councilors, the superiors at various levels of the Congregation, including the Sisters of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In addition, traveling to the various places of Don Bosco made them understand Don Bosco better. They had love and faith for Don Bosco with understanding through the great work he did and passed on through the Salesians from generation to generation until we are in the present.

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