"Realising Salesian Youth Day is putting into practice what the Youth Ministry Framework for the entire Congregation asks of us, giving young people an experience of faith, an experience of Jesus Christ, an experience of God" said Fr Ricardo Carlos, Superior of the St Alphonsus Liguori Province of Campo Grande.
The young people arrived on Friday 18 August and gathered at the Sports Centre at Colégio Salesiano Dom Bosco. After the official photos were taken and dinner together, Fr Ricardo Carlos welcomed them, before things continued with songs and music in a typically Salesian atmosphere of joy.
"These were some of the most beautiful days of my life" said young Ana Júlia Santiago Silveira from the Parish of São Gonçalo do Porto, in Cuiabá. "It was really incredible: there were dances, music, adoration, everything was perfect."
The work was carried out through the so-called "Tents", specific working and prayer groups that everyone chose at the time of registration. Each of the "Tents" was organised and coordinated by a group of Salesian postnovices.
One of the many noteworthy moments was the music festival, where the singer and composer of "Profeta dos Jovens", Fr Osmar Bezutte, told the story of the composition, the first recording and, finally, he sang his song with the young people, known in Salesian presences throughout Brazil.
The proposed activities impressed Fr Denílson Bezerra, Vicar of Nossa Senhora da Salete Parish in Primavera do Leste. The Salesian, who participated with the young people in the "Tent of Adoration", said that "it was a very special moment for young people, to meet each other and also Christ."
At the end of the activities, the closing Holy Mass was celebrated, in the presence of twelve Salesian priests including young Xavantes from the missionary presences in São Marcos and Sangradouro. There was a great silence during the Agnus Dei in the gym where Mass was celebrated. The young Xavantes went to the centre, before the altar, and sang the liturgical words in their original language: “Pone 'ēnhimidzawipe, Dapoto 'wa date, ahã te danhõ 'uma ma dawatsédé 're i 'apari mõ, wa 'ãma 're aibamõnõ”, which translates as: “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us!”
For the Provincial Delegate for Vocational Youth Ministry, Frs Aldir da Silva, in charge of organizing and carrying out the Salesian Youth Day for Campo Grande Province, it was a great experience and now, he explains: "we are sure that Salesians and lay people, working together, will do what Don Bosco dreamed of. We hope that the fruits of this work, carried out for the love of Jesus Christ, Don Bosco and Our Lady, will be felt throughout our Province."
For Fr Carlos, this Day has achieved its goal, which is to promote a mystical experience for every young person. "Not an isolated experience" explains Fr Carlos "but a group experience and through this experience, guiding young people to discover what God wants in their lives so that they can answer the big questions: where I come from, where I am going, what I am doing here. This vocational dimension is very important in the lives of young people, so that they can, with the grace of God, take the necessary steps to follow Jesus Christ and also be able to do good to others", he concluded.
Euclides Fernandes Brites
