The Salesian Youth Ministry Delegation of "Spain - St. James the Greater" (SSM) has re-launched the project "Comunidades en Oración" (Communities in Prayer) to accompany the time of Lent, the Easter Triduum, and the first two weeks of Easter Time. It is a proposal developed by an editorial team of Salesians and lay people, which aims to take care of the spiritual life of educational-pastoral communities. "It is aimed at young people, educators, animators, teachers, and members of the Salesian Family in all pastoral settings, illuminating the Sunday Gospel each week, to help rediscover God's presence in our daily lives," explains Fr. Xabier Camino, Delegate for Youth Ministry at SSM.
For his part, Salesian Fr. José J. Gómez Palacios, author of numerous books on liturgy and pedagogy, is proposing for this season "Huellas de Cuaresma" (Lenten Footprints), a book with different educational and liturgical resources for living Lent in Salesian style. The text, designed to be used in catechesis, religion classes, as well as in youth groups, schools, and parishes, offers for each day: the daily Gospel, "Echoes of the Word" in the form of a short commentary, a daily prayer and a daily sign to fulfill and reflect upon on Lent. Among the most original sections is a daily interview with a character from Jesus' time, in relation to the Gospel of the day; completing the material is a section dedicated to children, with stories of children who suffer the violation of their most basic rights.
Then there is also "El que quiera seguirme" (He who wants to follow me), a Lenten itinerary for young people with restless hearts. "It's not just about reading or meditating. It's about walking and putting yourself out there. It's about walking and putting your life on the line by following Jesus more closely," explains its author, Fr. José Miguel Núñez. The illustrator, Paú, creatively and incisively reflects the believing experience and enriches the reflection with strongly expressive visual language. The harmonious combination of both elements makes this book a comprehensive proposal for the journey toward Easter.
Also, Salesian Miguel Ángel Calavia shares the program "Caminos de Esperanza" (Paths of Hope), orientation material for putting daily life before God, as in presenting it to Him. "Lent is a new opportunity that God offers us to live our faith in a more authentic way," the author explains its meaning. "For a Christian, to convert means to reorient one's relationship with God and with others, always keeping in mind the criteria of Jesus. And it is a lifelong task."
All these materials are in addition to the Lenten itinerary for youth and the Lent for preschool and elementary school children proposed in previous years, and the "Ecospiritual Path" proposed by the Congregation's Department of Youth Ministry. These Lenten materials and itineraries are available online in the "Rincón de Oración" (the Prayer Corner).
