Italy – A thousand young people at the SYM Gio Beach party in Sicily: "Awaiting his love, Joyful in hope"
Catania, Italy – September 2024 – "Awaiting his love, Joyful in hope" was the theme that accompanied 21 and 22 September, and that will accompany the 2024/2025 pastoral year of the Salesian Family. In the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) Assembly in Sicily on Saturday 21 September, young representatives from Salesian places were formed to be true bearers of hope in everyday life. The following day, on Sunday 22 September at Playa di Catania, in Colonia Don Bosco, the SYM Giò Beach Party took place, involving about 1,000 young people from all over the region. The young people took part in the session on Hope and the Jubilee, presented by Fr Franco di Natale, Vice-Provincial of the Salesian Province of Sicily (ISI). They also heard the testimonies of young people who had a missionary experience in Senegal. After the Mass celebrated by the ISI Provincial, Fr Giovanni D’Andrea, in the afternoon, there were games. The Day ended with the testimony of the young people who participated in the World Salesian Youth Synod at Colle Don Bosco, and the presentation of the paths and events of the SYM by Fr Alberto Anzalone, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, and by Sister Maria Grazia Tripi, Youth Ministry Councillor for the FMA, who invited young people to get involved in growing as animators of Hope.