The itinerary, entitled "Young Advent - wait and live the dream", began last Saturday, November 28, the eve of the first Sunday of Advent. "Seat" of the first meeting, instead of the traditional Lucanian mountains or the small house of Grumento, was the "Google Meet" platform: after the beautiful experiences of "QuaresimaViva 2020" and "GioCat" held online during the lockdown, the Salesian Youth Movement decided to re-propose the Advent journey in a version that still sees everyone connected from home.
The first meeting of introduction, held by the respective Provincial Delegates for Youth Ministry, Fr Gianpaolo Roma and Sr. Giuliana Luongo, saw about 40 young people connected. And on the occasion, the project that will develop on the four Sundays of Advent was presented. A path different from all the others, carefully planned and designed so that every young person can make their own path according to their needs and commitments. An elastic pandemic-sized format, which will have as its guideline the figure of Joseph of Nazareth, a biblical character too often overlooked.
The focal and most innovative point of this "Youth Advent" is its structure and the way in which it is expressed. Each week, in fact, a link is sent to subscribers containing a video on the weekly theme, which will be based on four key words relating to Joseph: Desire, Hope, Call and Response.
At that point the creativity of each participant comes into play, as they will have the opportunity to choose how to experience the proposed theme within his or her week. The options are varied and extensive: readings, songs, questions for reflection ... As well as requesting a "face to face" meeting with Salesians and FMA who have generously given their availability, or even booking for the sharing groups to be held on Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, all in the full freedom of everyone who can adapt the Advent path to themselves and to his or her own particular situation. The journey will therefore advance in a unique way for each young person as they approach Christmas. The second and final meeting, on the online platform, is scheduled for December 23rd.
"All that remains is to entrust everything into the hands of Mary, woman of Waiting, and wish everyone a happy Young Advent!" conclude the SYM animators Marica Dezio and Nico Paolangelo.
