The Synod of Bishops on "Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment" was the input that gave rise to the idea of starting a similar formative path: the diploma, in fact, arises from the need of the global Church to give concrete answers to and at the present time, in a spirit of synodality.
The formation course, carried out online in the months from May to October, is itself the result of an integrated collaboration, which saw the Salesian Province of Chile (CIL) converge together with the Youth Ministry Commission of the Chilean Episcopal Conference (Cech) and the UCSH Pastoral Institute.
During the ceremony of December 17, Sister Carolina Madariaga, National Councilor of Youth Ministry of Cech, addressed a few words to those present, especially to the students: "We are invited to announce Jesus to the young, to do new things and think about a different ministry," said the religious.
Subsequently, after the musical performance of Gabriela Caliú, of the "Shalom" community, Juan Pablo Méndez, one of the graduates, gave a few words of thanks in the name of all his classmates. "Thank you for relying on young people, to betting on young people. We must reach them directly, so that they feel welcomed into a Christian community. The young are the hope of our weakened Church, and our task is to make God known to all", were his words.
Taking part in the ceremony were: Fr Carlo Lira, Provincial of the Salesians in Chile and Grand Chancellor of UCSH; Fr Galvarino Jofré, Rector of the UCSH; teachers, pedagogical coordinators and course tutors, including: Viviana Altamirano, Javier Díaz and Ricardo Nadales of Cech; César Gonzalez and Freddy Araya of the Salesian Youth Ministry, and the Salesian priest Fr José Chaf.
"Young people are a complex terrain because the cultural reality they live is different from ours: giving them a true process of integral formation is a service to the Church. The formative example of this diploma brings hope to a Church that must respond to the new challenges that arise," said Fr Lira.
