Don Bosco was a daydreamer, like all the prophets who see far and look to the future with hope. Starting with the Dream when he was nine, in which he imagined his future mission as a priest and educator. Dreams that have miraculously come true, with the help of Providence, his Salesians and many benefactors who have always supported and continue to support his Work.
The Salesian Youth Synod aims to be a way for young people in Salesian Provinces to appreciate and explore the Dream at nine years of age, rediscovering its meaning for spirituality, discernment and the realisation of their vocation. It involves the direct involvement and participation of young people.
A maximum of two young people are invited per Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, engaged in pastoral animation in local and provincial settings and in the activities of the Salesian Youth Movement. Participants will range in age from 18 to 30. Together with them, two Salesians and two Daughters of Mary Help of Christians per Region.
There will be three phases. The first preparatory phase, of listening and dialogue, will take place in each Province. "Everyone"’s involvement is activated through consultation in the process of preparing the Synod, in order to bring together all the voices that are the expression of young people around the world. For this reason, a preliminary questionnaire is proposed for each Province, with the aim of drafting the Instrumentum Laboris (Working document). A second phase will be at Colle Don Bosco, a time spent with the synodal methodology in a spiritual atmosphere and small groups (language groups), which will guarantee greater participation, as well as a plenary assembly. The last phase, action, will involve work on the final document.
It is also planned to publish a "Coffee Table Book" containing 200 dreams of young people from all over the world. A Core Group, or Central Commission made up of of 12 young people from all over the world, and a pre-synodal group of several people for the drafting of the Instrumentum Laboris has been established.
During these days of synodal meetings, it will be possible to see the diversity of cultures, youth and Church settings, but also the unity that comes from the Salesian charism. It will be a source of great joy to see the participation, understanding and insight, the ability to work and discern, and the sharing of many moments of reflection, prayer and proposal.
The logo chosen for the Salesian Youth Synod represents the field where Don Bosco's dream took place, on a green background; the proposal to walk together and to network; the symbols that recall dialogue, reflection and participation; and the cross, involved in every spiritual search, in the faith, in seeing to our relationship with the risen Jesus.
