Poland – A Polish Valdocco: Salesian Youth Center in Rzepczyno

16 December 2021
Poland – A Polish Valdocco: Salesian Youth Center in Rzepczyno

(ANS – Rzepczyno) – During the 2021 Extraordinary Visitation conducted on behalf of the Rector Major by Fr Václav Klement, Extraordinary Visitor “ad nutum” and “pro tempore”, Rzepczyno Salesian Youth Center was chosen as the last of 28 communities in Poland (another 5 communities of PLN are located in other 3 countries). Since 2007 Rzepczyno Youth Center is growing as a Valdocco of the Province. It’s one of the 94 Youth Centers in Poland where find their home young people in need. Until now already almost 800 young people were welcomed in this Valdocco and the educators are happy to keep in touch with 70% of their past pupils.

What is amazing is that around the needs of the young people, after an initial resistance from the village, is now build up an incredibly attractive network of solidarity, volunteers, supporters, benefactors and friends. Good number of the 70+ lay mission partners are simply attracted through their generosity or by others who invite to contribute to this virtuous circle. Education offer is really shaped by the needs of our boys: vocation training in gastronomy, field trips around Poland to get know the rich cultural heritage, Don Bosco Green Alliance in action beautified an old local cemetery, football tournaments, free opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration and many special events bring energy to their lives. 

Thanks to the lay mission partners who are animated only by two Salesians (Director Fr. Artur Dylewski) the Valdocco-like environment of Salesian spirit - Don Bosco Preventive System - is very much alive.

During the visitation sharing the collaborators expressed their joy and satisfaction when they see boys transformation. And simple close assistance, dedicated life witness of the educators and teachers offers life models for the boys who had not the luck to live in an ordinary complete families. As their own parents, the educators help to overcome the fear to enter society life without own family back-up. And the faith journey, from simple denial of all Catholic related expressions until a committed personal prayer life, is among the best fruits of this Valdocco fruits.

Of course, there are also many not-yet-accomplished dreams: to get the sponsor for a necessary Sports Hall, to visit one day the original Valdocco of Don Bosco in Turin or to renew the energy and education patience on their everyday journey with these boys.

“We give thanks for the youth in need who keep alive and make grow the Salesian charism and attract so many lay people to follow Don Bosco!” Fr Klement states.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/14303-poland-a-polish-valdocco-salesian-youth-center-in-rzepczyno#sigProId983d427d00

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