The event brought together about 270 delegates from 103 countries and 44 movements, associations and communities, gathered for an evaluation of the World Youth Day in Krakow and preparation for the Synod of Bishops on "The young people, faith and vocational discernment" and the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama.
The Salesian point of view was represented by the Salesian Youth Movement and by Fr Attard, author of a work on the Third Part of the Preparatory Document for the Synod on the young – the part dedicated to Pastoral Action.
Referring often to "Evangelii Gaudium" by Pope Francis and "Evangelii Nuntiandi" by Pope Paul VI, he stressed the importance of empathy for the young, an attitude that sums up the attention of educators to meet young people where they are, accompanying them "to the truth," but at the same time "with love", and "willingness to spend time with them, listening to their stories, their joys and hopes".
Fr Attard then said that young people should not be regarded as "patients in need of a cure" but rather as "objects and subjects at the same time", knowing that "the whole community evangelizes them and educates them," and that it is urgent that they "have a greater role."
He then stressed the importance of "the experience of belonging to a group", "the culture of journeying, the group experience, and the sense of identifying with other young people", as elements that go beyond the risk of developing a pastoral proposal limited to events and instead build career paths.
Finally, he urged people not to let resistance deter them from proposing to young people, "gradually and with respect for their ability experiences of silence and contemplation, prayer and worship" and ultimately, to have the courage to " lead them to a sense of wonder at the divine".
