By Fr Joebeth Vivi, SDB

Seoul, Korea, 12 November 2024 -- The annual meeting of the Provincial Delegates for Youth Ministry of the East Asia Oceania Region was held in South Korea from 9 to 12 November 2024. Convened by Fr Miguel Angel Garcia, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, 22 people gathered.

First, Fr Joebeth Vivo presented the final document of the Salesian Youth Synod held in Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco. The proposals deepen the experience of Salesian Youth Spirituality at an international level, turning these pages into a great celebration of the journey of evangelization that is being followed throughout the Salesian world. “They help us discover the hearts of young people to find those vibrations of the Spirit that help us invent new paths and sources of faith. There is nothing in youth cultures that does not resonate in our hearts,” says Fr Joebeth.

Time was devoted to personal study and sharing the updates on the Frame of Reference: the Salesian Oratory-Youth Center, the Works and Services for Youth in Situations of Vulnerability and Exclusion, and the Vocational Training Center. The delegates emphasized that these documents make it clearer that the Salesian Youth Ministry is implemented through a plurality of forms determined by the needs of young people and the different territories of the provinces. Through this renewal, the unity of the mission is manifested and, at the same time, its richness. Each publication brings its own specificity to the whole and contributes to the realization of the Oratory criterion of Article 40 of the Constitution.

Thirdly, the reflection focused on a motivating document: the “First Proclamation and Salesian Youth Ministry,” written by the Councilor. “Only the Salesian's personal encounter with Christ makes him a witness capable of personally bringing the Gospel in concrete life situations. The testimony does not cling to abstract demonstrations but raises questions in words capable of illuminating the experiences and thoughts of young people. It reaches the heart, integrating experience and words, heart and mind; it does not reduce the proclamation to episodic proposals or gestures, but accompanies the recipients in the style of the Samaritan, even in non-Catholic contexts,” said Fr Garcia.

The sharing of knowledge and “best practices” is premised on mutual enrichment and dialogue. There are presented varied, effective practices, and educative-pastoral initiatives aimed at exploring the educational interventions in the provinces.

One session was dedicated to the evaluation of the animation of the Sector for Youth Ministry in the five-year period 2020-2025. More specifically, the topics evaluated were the regional meetings of Youth Ministry Delegates, the School for Delegates (2022 and 2024), Sector publications (2021-2024), and accompaniment by the Sector for Youth Ministry.

A wide-ranging dialogue was opened, focusing on the relationship of the delegate for youth ministry with the Provincial, his council, and Salesian Works. Fr Miguel Angel offered some pointers in this regard.

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