Slovenia – More than 150 young people participate in the days of Formation for Salesian Leaderss
Veržej, Slovenia – January 2025 – A record number of young people and leaders participated in the formation days for Salesian leaders held from 10 to 12 January in Veržej. The event was organised by the Salesian Youth Ministry Office from the Province of Slovenia (SLO). More than 150 young people from nine youth centres and Salesian parishes completely filled the Salesian Marianum house. The participants learned about Don Bosco's educational religion, reason and loving-kindness, which are still indispensable constitutive elements of Salesian education. Through different dynamics and games, they became familiar with the content in a simple way. The content was tailored by the three speakers: family therapist Miha Ruparčič illustrated in a vivid way the secure attachment which affects all subsequent appropriate or inappropriate behaviours in children. It is therefore right that the leader also pays attention to these dynamics. Salesian Rafo Pinosa taught the participants the basics of rhetoric and tested them. Young Salesian Domen Kos outlined the five pillars of Salesian youth spirituality. In addition to educational content, there was no lack of spiritual nourishment in moments of prayer and adoration. The concluding Mass was celebrated by the Provincial, Fr Peter Končan, who accompanied the young people during the three days. In the homily he reminded them that they were created for great things and that the event in Veržej recalls the golden times of Don Bosco's oratory full of young people.