The Salesian Youth Days (SYD) is an intensive, multi-day celebration of faith led by young people who belong to the Salesian Youth movement (SYM), which is becoming increasingly effective as a new engine of Salesian youth ministry, and invites fellow young people who share their faith to come together. In Korea, the event has been jointly organized by SDB and FMA since 2011, and this is the fifth edition.

Young people from all over the country are participating in a variety of formation and spirituality programs that have been long prepared by the administration staff. As they joyfully fellowship, listen to God’s Word, internalize it, and share it with each other, they are excitedly experiencing a deep faith that is hard to find anywhere else. In line with the theme of this year’s Youth Days, “The Dream that Makes Us Dream,” the youth are going on a deep “vocation journey” to diagnose the dreams they are pursuing in their lives, identify the dreams God has for them, and reflect on whether they are in balance or harmony with these dreams.

True to its name, the entire process is organized by young people for young people. The young people involved in SYM have been preparing for this event for a long time. Starting with the overall planning of the event by forming a administration staff and a public relations team, the logo, theme song, and poster were selected and promoted, and all the preparatory processes such as registration, location, and program were completed by the youth. The team in charge of liturgy, chanting, and rhythm also meticulously planned and prepared the contents of the event, ensuring that the beautiful meeting would not be disturbed in the slightest.

“I thought, if I were a character in Don Bosco’s dream, who would I be? Maybe I would be one of those who were transformed from wolves to sheep! I wrote the song with the hope that we can all grow together as happy sheep in the Lord.” This is what Hyunkyu Lee (Peter), who composed the theme song, “Let’s Dream of You and Me,” says.

Of course, there are nearly twenty SDB and FMA among the participants. However, their role is very limited, both in the preparatory process and during the event itself, with only sacramental interventions that allow the young people to take the initiative in creating a space for faith experiences and expressing the joy of encountering God to the best of their abilities.

“To say keep having beautiful dreams but not only beautiful dreams in sleeping when we rest. But these real dreams like Bosco had that put us in the desire and will to have a life of great quality of deep meaning. A life where God and the Lord Jesus fills your hearts and helps you to be happy. Dream big Dear young people. Above all, As I tell the youth of the world so many times, never leave and to take God and Jesus into your hearts.” Cardinal Angel, the Rector Major, sent a video message to the young people participating in the Salesian Youth Days, encouraging them in their journey to fulfill their dreams. 

This Youth Days event is also a preparation for the upcoming World Youth Days Seoul 2027, which will take place in the presence of Pope. These young people, who have taken the initiative to organize the Youth Days and have increased their planning and execution skills as well as their faith journey, will surely play a leading role in inviting and welcoming young people from all over the world and accompanying them on the path of encountering Jesus. “I promise to come to Seoul to meet you in time for the World Youth Days.  I think I will not resist to visit you in Seoul 2027,” promised Cardinal Angel.

Fr. Savio Seong Hayoon, who is accompanying the entire process of the Youth Days expressed his expectations and hopes for the event, saying, “I expect that the 2024 Korean Salesian Youth Days will be a place of true vocation discernment where Korean Catholic youth can dream of becoming saints together.”

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