Father Paul O Lyngkot, the Provincial of Shillong, welcomed Fr Fabio Attard, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr Guillermo Basañes, General Councilor for Missions, Fr Patrick, member of the Youth Ministry team, Fathers Martin and M.C. George, Members of the Mission Department, and Fathers Maria Charles and T.J Francis, DBYA Coordinator and Missions Coordinator of South Asia region.
Fr Attard invited participants to reflect upon the post-synodal Apostolic Letter, Christus Vivit, by Pope Francis. The document focusses on the young and Youth Ministry within the Church. He mentioned that its nature and content were both very Salesian. He introduced the participants to group work on the document with a special focus on Chapters 5, 7, 8 and 9. He also mentioned that Pope Francis’ writings, seemingly simple, are marked by profundity and wisdom.
On day two, Fr Attard animated on discernment and Salesian accompaniment basing himself on part 2 of the Final Document of the Synod and Christus Vivit.
The last day was spent on the forthcoming General Chapter 28. As per the moderator's directive, Fr Maria Charles requested the provinces to identify three young people and three adults who will represent the region in the gathering.
The Youth Delegates of all the provinces presented a report on all the four dimensions of the activities carried out in their own respective provinces and the report was submitted to Fr Maria Charles. Fr Robert Simon (National Youth Delegate – India) discussed the Salesian Youth Movement and urged all participants to strengthen the SYM in all their respective provinces.
Fr Patrick and Fr Martin Lasarte, members of Missions Department – Rome, then animated the gathering through group discussions on the various themes of the Provincial Chapters held in different Provinces.
The appointment was deemed necessary to review the current state of these two fundamental sectors of the Salesian Mission in the South Asia region, and to plan and develop ahead in order to serve young people increasingly better.
