The precious task undertaken by the members of DBYA-SA [Don Bosco Youth Animation-South Asia] Regional Team, with the help of Salesians from different provinces of the South Asian Region, was spearheaded by Fr Maria Charles Antonysamy, SDB.
The Training Manual comprises four books with well-planned modules for the different stages of formation, i.e. Pre-Novitiate, Novitiate, Post-Novitiate and Practical Training. Through this manual, various tenets of Salesian Youth Ministry will be effectively learnt, understood and put into practice by the young Salesians in initial formation.
Fr Maria Charles said, ''The first manual sets the stage, the second helps the young Salesian formulate his personal plan of life, the third helps the formee to gain an in-depth knowledge of the essential skills, while the fourth helps in practical application of the concepts within the lived socio-cultural context.''
The Pre-Novitiate manual provides the basic concepts of Salesian Youth Ministry in its different settings; various models of youth ministry; the qualities of a Salesian Youth Minister and the basic skills required to discern his own vocation. The Novitiate manual helps in formulation of the personal plan of life, to understand the contexts in which young people live; Salesian identity and youth ministry as the specific charism of the Salesians; to develop an Oratorian heart; the fundamentals of the preventive system and the skills of a youth minister.
The Post-Novitiate manual introduces the young Salesian to an in-depth knowledge of the challenges of youth today; the apostolic identity of Salesian Youth Minister; the history and spirituality of Salesian Youth Ministry with its fundamental dimensions, choices and its various sectors and activities. It also deals with the basics of a scientific approach towards Salesian Youth Ministry and the Preventive System as a Salesian philosophy of Education; the locus of Salesian Youth Ministry- the Educative Pastoral Community and the operational tools for Salesian Youth Ministry - the Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan. The Don Bosco Child Protection Policy; the art of accompanying the young people and the Salesian Youth Movement are also dealt with in detail.
The Practical Training module helps the young Salesian to understand the wherewithal of his field of apostolate and his own apostolic identity within a particular culture and in various socio-political contexts. Practical aspects of the preventive system and the Salesian Youth Spirituality as part of a holistic youth ministry will help the young formee to organize and animate the Salesian Youth Movement.
Source: Don Bosco India
