From 23 to 31 August, 32 of them (between 19 and 26 years of age), led by the new Superior of the Jesus the Adolescent Province of the Middle East (MOR), Fr Simon Zacherian, who was Rector for years in Lebanon, made a "pilgrimage of hope" to Italy, stopping, during the first part, in the Salesian "holy places" of Turin and the surrounding area, and in the second part, in Rome.

The first importance has always been reserved for Eucharistic celebrations, moments of prayer and meditation: in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians ("Here the Salesian missionaries receive the crucifix, including those who have come to Lebanon..."), in the church of St Francis de Sales, in Don Bosco's rooms, accompanied by the expert and friendly Fr Michael Pace. Other significant places were included: the Consolata Sanctuary, the Cottolengo, the Convitto and the church of St Francis of Assisi, the Chapel of the Shroud.

The hours of meeting with the group of animators at Valdocco's Youth Centre were very enriching, in the presence of the Delegate of the Youth Ministry of the Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta Special Circumscription (ICP), in which moments of prayer, reflections, exchange of testimonies, games took place... in an atmosphere of great fraternity. "Nice to find out that we have so much in common, in the diversity of cultures!" said one of the Lebanese animators.

Excursions to Chieri and Colle Don Bosco followed. "The little house where Mamma Margaret raised her family, as John Bosco's first educator, is so small and poor!" added another of the young people present.

In Rome, the group went to pray in the four major basilicas (Saint Peter, Saint John, Mary Major and Saint Paul Outside the Walls) and in the Salesian Sacred Heart Basilica in Via Marsala. Here, Fr Francesco Marcoccio, Rector of Salesian Headquarters, gave a historical and spiritual presentation of the basilica, highlighting how Don Bosco wanted to imprint his pedagogical and pastoral vision in architectural forms focused on Confession and the Eucharist.

It was very moving for everyone to gather in front of the altar of the Help of Christians, where in 1887 Don Bosco, celebrating Mass, was overwhelmed by tears, understanding how that "Dream at 9 Years of age" had been fulfilled in his life. On the last day, the pilgrimage ended in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, to renew the commitment of fidelity to the third of Don Bosco's great "loves": the Pope. Touristically there were also short visits to some of the city's famous monuments: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, etc.

The 32 animators returned home "loaded" with significant experiences, confirmed in the vocational motivations of belonging to the charismatic family of Don Bosco. "Now, from them we want to draw new energy and momentum, to be witnesses of hope and peacemakers in the context of our current Lebanon, which presents challenging challenges and particular difficulties", concluded the participating animators.

Salesian Community of El Houssoun-Jbeil

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