It is not a simple meeting of young people: it is rather a process that has already begun for some time in the Provinces, in which young people have been invited to walk together, listening, speaking and praying with the aim of discerning their future and that of the Church together. It is about listening to each other, learning from each other and projecting the Gospel on the situations that they discover in their lives", explained the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector.
The Salesian Youth Synod will be attended by 372 people, from 83 countries – 187 women and 185 men; 293 of the participants are young people (including 14 members of the Core Group, the Synod Secretariat, representing the 7 Salesian Regions, and 22 pre-novices), who will have the right to vote in the assembly.
And it is precisely the young people, on this journey of waiting for the SYS, who are sending their comments and testimonials these days about what they expect and how they are preparing for the appointment.
"I am convinced that the Salesian Youth Synod is an extraordinary opportunity to meet and interact with young people from various cultures and backgrounds, who come from all over the world. There will be many opportunities to learn from each other and to grow. It will certainly be an experience that will mark life", Noha Rodrigues, a young Indian, says.
The young man adds: "I am very excited to be part of this Synod, with over 200 young people who will participate in this great event from all over the world. And I am grateful to God and I feel truly blessed for the opportunity that has been offered to me.”
No less is the comment that comes from Bolivia, on behalf of Wendy Mikaela Ponce: "The feelings I feel, since I learned that I could participate in the SYS, are joy and emotion. I feel so lucky to be part of a great dream that has changed the life of Don Bosco and all of us who are part of this great family. By participating in this meeting, I expect to be able to meet many other boys and girls who share the same love for Don Bosco and for young people, so that this dream continues to change the lives of many other people and remains alive over time, under the protection and blessing of our Mother, Mary Help of Christians."
The coordinator of the initiative within the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector, Fr Joebeth Vivo, concludes: "We really hope that this is a beautiful gift to God and to young people, as a sign of gratitude for the gift of Don Bosco and his mission to young people."
In anticipation of experiencing the SYS together, the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector has created and disseminated short presentation videos of the event, available in five languages (Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese) on the respective ANSChannel language channels.
