DAEJON: 14-16 February - The
third Salesian
Youth Congress, organised by SDB, FMA, SCJ
and the youth themselves who belong to the Salesian Youth
Movement and VIDES, led by the SDB e FMA respectively
took place in Daejon, Korea, at the Salesian Youth Centre
there, from 14 to 16 February 2014.
The first Congress was held in 2010. This third one had the
theme: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). Some 280
young people and religious took part in the event.
Our experience has been that this Congress is a privileged
opportunity for forming the Salesian Youth Movement in
Salesian spirituality throughout Korea. The 3rd
Congress aimed at increasing their sense of belonging to the
Salesian Family through solidarity and empowerment,
involving other young people and offering them too the
chance to re-energise their faith and Christian identity.
Each day had its own sub-theme: the first day was a
wish and a question “Peace be with you - Are you at peace?”;
Day two: “You are the light of the world” and the third and
final day: “Let us walk in the light of the Lord”. On the
first day, by inverting the Lord's invitation :”Peace be
with you-Are you at peace?” the young people rediscovered
peace that has been lost in the darkness of a troubled world
- light and shade - and experienced the joy of following
Christ. They shared their hopes for tomorrow. The
symbol for the Congress was on the stage - the burning bush.
The young people, split up into groups explored and
discussed the programme before them. They then placed their
expectations of the Congress in written form on the “burning
bush on the stage”. After Mass at which a good number of
SDBs concelebrated , Fr Marcello Baek, who was the president
for the Congress, declared it officially open.
Day two involved a 'dialogue between light and darkness’.
Frustrations and conflicts caused by the world around,
making them suffer - and at this point they drew light from
the Gospel and the Pope's words. The “Ephata”, presented
through BIZ, enabled participants to experience the
breakdown in communication that goes on between human beings
and with God. They were sent two by two to the surrounding
hills with a mission to carry out. This 'walk of love' was
to impress on them the light and courage that God's Word
could arouse in them through nature.
The culmination of the Congress was a celebration carried
out via a radio program under the title : ”On a starlit
night”, led by 2 presenters who enthusiastically spoke of
their lives. This involved the band made up of Salesians in
formation and young people - it was a huge explosion of joy.
In the night, prayer began with the young people crying out
for the true light revealed through the cross. This was
mimed: contrast of adoration of the cross and physical
beauty, hedonism and wealth. They processed with the cross,
made an examiantion of conscience, spent a long time in
prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, then reconciled with
God with a well-prepared and heartfelt confession, gaining
peace and comfort.
The final day led them to recognise the grace of God found
at the Congress and in the light God had given them, and
they made good resolutions. They made a wooden chain to
express how they could live according to that light. Finally
they shared words of hope, life and resolution for 2014. The
final Mass was celebrated with the Provincial, Fr Stephen
Nam and many Salesians.
Preparation for the Congress took six months, carried out by
a group called “Testimonies of faith”, made up of SDB, FMA
and committed SYM young people. The Salesian Family in
Korea, in preparation for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's
birth, is aiming to elad young people to the way of
salvation and holiness, and with this third Congress, has
enkindled a new light of faith, hope and charity in them.
