"Savionalia" is a youth festival named and dated after the young saint of the Salesian Oratory St. Domenico Savio, whose liturgical memory in Poland is celebrated on May 5.

Activities began on the afternoon of Friday 5 with a colorful presentation of the participants. Each group had to present themselves creatively to attract the interest of the other participants. For example, the Kielce animators dressed their leader as ... a jar of mayonnaise. The participating groups were so numerous and the dynamics of interaction so compelling that part of the presentation was necessarily postponed until the following day. The evening then continued with a moment of spiritual intimacy for all present through Eucharistic adoration led by the "Łaska" (Grace, in Polish) group from Oświęcim.

Saturday, May 6 began in the best possible way, that is, with Mass. Then, after completing the presentations of the groups on the stage postponed the previous day, the young people were divided into groups and participated in various lectures and discussions on topics of their interest.

Due to the rain, the activities of the planned "St. Dominic's Tournament," instead of taking place outdoors, took place in different parts of the Salesian house, and were nonetheless complemented by other playful or cultural moments, such as a photo contest, a quiz on Don Bosco, a workshop to learn how to ride a unicycle and other fun dynamics.

The evening was then rounded off with a concert featuring various artists on stage, including Fr. Jakub Bartczak, the duo "None Rhyme&NDP" - that is, Salesians Norbert Rosiński and Dominik Nowak - and the group "Siewcy Lednicy." At the end of the performances, the participants sang the Marian prayer of the "Appeal of Jasna Gora" and listened to the words of Paweł Murias and cleric Hung Trung Nguyen, who made their perpetual profession in the Salesian Society the following day.

The last day of the celebration, Sunday, May 7, brought the event to fruition with a full house of events and emotions. It started with a prayer and summary of "Savionalia" 2023, with the awarding of the cup to the winning team of the tournament, that of Skawa. In addition, a good number of animators received certificates of completion from the Salesian School for Animators (SAS) and the accompanying uniforms.

In addition, Sunday morning had a strong missionary flavor, as the last day of Savionalia, like every year, featured the despatch of the young volunteers of the Salesian Missionary Volunteers, who received missionary crosses in preparation for their upcoming departure to proclaim the Good News in different countries.

The event concluded with a solemn Mass, during which the young Salesians, Paweł Murias and Hung Trung Nguyen, vowed to serve God forever, according to the Salesian charism. During the many thanksgivings that resounded in the church, one had special significance. Fr. Łukasz Torbicki, SDB, on behalf of all the organizers, expressed gratitude to Fr. Andrzej Król, SDB, PLS Youth Ministry Delegate, who organized "Savionalia" for the last time. From next year, this not-easy commitment will pass on the shoulders of a new person in charge. 

Text and photos: Salesian Interprovincial Theological Studentate "Łosiówka" in Krakow

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