Together with the young people, several hundred animators, Salesians and FMAs will accompany the participants during these days, organizing moments of prayer, group, personal reflection, and the religious celebrations of the Easter Triduum. It should be noted that the number of participants exceeded the expectations of the organizers, who had to increase the hosting capacity.

In the case of the Province of Spain-St. James the Greater (SSM), the theme chosen for the meetings is "The Road that leads to Love," in line with this year's pastoral campaign with its invitation to contemplate Jesus: way, truth, and life. "Once again this year we are called to celebrate the Easter Triduum with profundity and a sense of faith, accompanying the Lord in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, committing ourselves together with young people to build the Kingdom of God," explained Fr. Xabier Camino, Delegate for Youth Ministry at SSM.

As on previous occasions, the Easter meetings will have three levels, depending on the age of the participants. There will also be meetings for youth and families in Mohernando and Somalo. In addition, there will also be an opportunity to experience Easter along the Way of St. James.

Also in line with this year's pastoral theme is the Easter proposal of the Salesian Province of Spain-Mary Help of Christians (SMX) and the Salesian Province of the FMA of the same name, with the motto "We walk with you," addressed to the youth of the Salesian presences of Andalusia, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencia, Extremadura, and Murcia.

"These are evocative words that launch us to an encounter with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters. They help us to live the double experience: on the one hand, the Lord becomes our companion on the road and accompanies us along every step we take; and on the other hand, it expresses that others walk with us: it is the community dimension and the need to live the faith together with others," shares Fr. Jose Luis Navarro, Provincial Coordinator of the SMX Salesian Education to Faith Itinerary.

Moreover, "the motto 'We walk with you' engages us, puts us alongside Jesus to find life and a life in fullness with Him, makes us Church on the path to Easter," adds Sister María José Silva, Coordinator of the Pastoral Care of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Salesian houses in Spain also took advantage of Lent, the 40 days proposed by the Church in preparation for Easter, to offer different faith experiences.

Spiritual Exercises are a common proposal at this time of year. The Pastoral Coordinators of the Province of St. James the Greater had the opportunity to do them in Mohernando, while 32 teachers from schools in this Province participated in the Spiritual Exercises in Turin, an experience to learn, reflect, share life, and pray in the places of Don Bosco.

Meanwhile, the Provincials of the Mediterranean Region are meeting these very days in the Holy Land for their spiritual retreat.

Along the same lines, so-called "days of Christian coexistence" have been developed, one of which, for example, brought educators together in Allariz in the week before Palm Sunday.

Another experience that is as original as it is common at this time of year is the Way of St. James. Thousands of students and teachers from Salesian schools don their boots and load their backpacks to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle. Faith and sharing are the main attractions of this proposal in the midst of Lent. On the French Way, for example, several Salesian youth groups from Ciudad Real, Córdoba, and Cartagena gathered on the same days and in the same places.

Again, drawing on the traditional Salesian passion for theater, plays on the Passion of Christ are performed in some Salesian houses. Of particular note are the plays "Getsemaní" (in Palma del Río and Utrera, for example), "Agnus Dei" (in Trinidad-Seville), and "La Pasión" (in Huesca). In addition, 29 Salesian confraternities will animate their Easter processions: such as those of "La Borriquilla," in Ciudad Real; "La Santa Cena," in Alicante; "El Despojado," in Cadiz; "El Prendimiento," in Córdoba; and "Las Penas," in Malaga.

As in past years, #PascuaSalesiana is the proposed hashtag for sharing on social networks.

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