Venezuela - Young people are the priority for strengthening the animation of groups and vocations

24 October 2016
Venezuela - Young people are the priority for strengthening the animation of groups and vocations

(ANS - Caracas) - "The experience of the group is in the passionate heart of Don Bosco,” says Bishop José Ángel Divasson. “It was present in his own life, and he manifested it by creating groups, companies, associations, which helped the young to grow and to plan their lives and choose to follow Jesus." Young people need to be offered very high goals, it seems. As the Pope says there are young people "who seem to be retired ahead of time, and who have thrown in the towel before starting the game." "They are full of wonder and amazement", and they "confuse happiness with a couch." The Salesian Province of Venezuela has reflected on the educational dimension of groups and the problem of vocations.

This key element of this meeting was the presence of 32 Salesians and lay people. The Province decided to strengthen their educative pastoral ministry and opted to accompany groups of young people in an appropriate manner, with quality and above all with experience of planning. "It was very positive and enriching,” said the Youth Ministry Delegate. “It gave us the opportunity to reflect on two very important aspects: the animation and promotion of groups and the dimensions of our vocational animation".

One of the most important interventions was that of Bishop José Ángel Divasson. "He is passionate about youth ministry. He was a witness and a protagonist of the history of the Province in the specific field of animation and implementation of educational groups."

It should be said that at the present time there are a number of problems that have devalued the group. "There is a lot of activism and very little planning mentality. There is not enough accompaniment and a shortage of leadership. Some groups do not have a proper identity, have no experience and no growth processes."

Fr Felipe Colemenares, the Youth Ministry Delegate said that "it is good that the Salesians and lay people are reflecting in a special way on the animation of groups and the problem of vocations. This encourages us and commits us to support each other in this beautiful task.  It forces us to think about the ways we accompany young people."

These reflections "bring us to rediscover the playground as a meeting place and make us identify more with the centre of our activity, which is to be with and among the young."

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