We are less than two months away from the WYD in Lisbon. At the “del Borgo” community, in place since 1945 for the protection and reception of young people from difficult situations, we prepare together with the young people. Education and awareness are the guidelines. “I can think of one of the youngsters who insistently and unhesitatingly involved his schoolmates together with their families to make get them to understand what this event is all about” Fr Cimini said.
There are 50 young people from the Borgo who intend to be involved with the WYD. From last September to this May, the community has organised many activities for those who are going, including self-financing. To the great surprise of their teachers, the initiative has met with unexpected success, even among those who will not participate in the event. “The boys felt they were involved personally and were busy, aware that everything is aimed at a goal that not only concerns them closely, but that also represents a real community and religious experience” Fr Cimini stresses.
Alongside self-financing, in anticipation of the WYD the Salesian community has committed itself to the educational accompaniment of the youngsters. Fr Cimini, who is going with them, tells of one episode that occurred at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located near the Termini station in the capital, also run by the Salesians. “We shared a touching moment of prayer with the young people in Rome and Lazio, linked to the Salesian world who will participate in the WYD. The celebration took place at the altar of Mary Help of Christians, an architectural feature that Don Bosco himself wanted here in Rome. For me this was also indicative, given and considering that the theme of the Lisbon initiative focuses on Mary.”
In a video message addressed to those who will take part in the event scheduled in Lisbon, Pope Francis encouraged them to look with hope to those days, “because you grow a lot on Days like this.” “The Church,” the Pope said, “has the strength of young people. So go ahead.” In this regard Father Cimini, agreeing with this, adds: “If I were to think of hope, in addition to Jesus Christ, I think of young people. Just like if I wanted to find a synonym for it, all I can think of is 'young people'” Faced with the many “faults” that the new generations can be blamed for, “I am convinced that young people are sponges that absorb everything that happens around them and as such I believe they must be educated over time, until they are transformed into filters, capable of bringing out all that is good in the world.”
The liveliness and energy of these young people are at the heart of WYD. In fact, Fr Cimini is convinced that young people have an extra gear: “Although some of the young people we take in come from the street or have difficult family situations, they have a great ability to read situations much more freshly. It seems that they do not pay attention to you sometimes, but in reality when you talk to them seriously, you realise how much is left of what you said before, how it was not just a seed thrown on the asphalt.
