5058(I)_Toward the World Congress on Salesian Mission for Youth in Need 2021

The World Advisory Council for Youth Ministry

April 7, 2019

By Frs Ronilo Javines, FIN and Peter Kim, KOR

RMG, 31 March 2019 -- The World Advisory Council for Youth Ministry met at the General House in Rome toward the end of March (27-31 March) to discuss the Salesian mission for marginalised youth. The group, called together by the Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Fabio Attard, involved 25 participants from the 7 Salesian regions across the world. The aim of the meeting was to provide focus for preparation for the 2021 Salesian World Congress on the Salesian Mission for Marginalised Youth.

During the 4 day event on the the 'Youth in Need & Youth at Risk' area, Salesians reflected on the journey of the Congregation and Church over the past 20 years (the previous World Meeting on Marginalised Youth was held in 1998).

After a long and meticulous preparation by YM Sector member, Fr Daniel García, the participants were able to explore the focus for the process, objectives and methodology of the 2021 World Congress. Participants met in small linguistic groups, listened and shared the challenges experienced by each one, the opportunities and processes, then produced a summary of the different realities and shared them in the general assembly.

They emphasised: the richness of Salesian work among young people at risk and the worldwide sharing of the work of Salesians with the poorest ... The hope of being able to serve, as Don Bosco did, the poorest, and the process for achieving this project with greater awareness in all our works. Most of the participants agreed that we have challenges, opportunities and processes to activate, and among our Salesians we find the strength to achieve these goals ... It is important to recover our charism of being in the midst of the most needy." Indeed all over the world there are more than one thousand Salesians and many thousands of lay mission partners who dedicate their lives to saving young people.

Fr Peter Kim (KOR) shares his first world level experience: ‘It was really a very busy 5 days, no chance even to rest. It was a wonderful time of listening. Before coming to Rome, I was thinking: ‘What I will do there?’ but after the final day I’m very grateful for this eye-opening Salesian experience at ‘world level’. I’m grateful for a broader view of the Salesian mission and enriched by so many inspiring experiences from all five continents’.

After the Rome meeting, all participants returned to their respective provinces, while Fr Ronilo Javines (FIN) celebrated his 32nd anniversary of Religious Profession on 2 April , and renewed his vows at the altar of Mary Help of Christians in the Sacro Cuore Basilica, a very significant place in the life of St John Bosco.

Related resources: https://www.bosco.link/ym/46697