5474(IV)_Youth Groups and Sodalities: Carrying On Don Bosco’s Legacy

September 25, 2020

By Luiz Benedict C. Belotindos

DBTC Cebu, The Philippines, 18 September 2020 -- Clubs are a staple in Bosconian culture. Bosconians naturally bond with one another even during the pandemic. Quarantined though at home, we continue our youth groups online to keep Don Bosco’s dream of happy young people a reality. As Don BoscoTechnical College – Cebu. pushes forward with the online academic school year 2020 – 2021, the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) ensures that youth clubs remain alive to foster Bosconian friendship and spread holiness among peers during this restriction-laden time. Our clubs continue to meet online twice a month on Saturdays and on other times set by the group. Each session comes with varying, creative, and engaging activities for all members.

DBTC is not a Salesian school without its sodalities, as youth group members are the fire which keeps religious events alive in the school. Activities like online weekly bible sharing, weekly live-streamed rosary, online talks and Salesianity Sessions for the young are in the pipelines, to deepen their faith amidst these hard times and more importantly promote Bosconian culture. The SYM has other activities prepared to keep our Bosconians engaged: live-streamed online concerts, family altarina contests, Holy-ween (kiddos dressing up as saints during Halloween), bible quizzes, inputs on mental health and many more.Theseallow Bosconians to make productive use of their time, a timeless tactic of DonBosco in preventing occasions of sin and encouraging learning and creativity. These activities also train our Bosconians to become leaders of the future.

Challenges remain for the SYM in conducting these sessions. Bosconians deal with internet connectivity issues, proactiveness of club members, time management with online classes, and technical issues that come with online meetings. But even thesecan’t douse the burning desire of the SYM to serve the youth but rather push them to be more creative and resourceful.

True to the spirit of Don Bosco, the children of the saint have always been proactive in front of difficulties and challenges. The SYM continues to witness the efforts of countless volunteers who push on with St. John Bosco’s spirit for the love of Jesus. Alive in our members and Bosconians, Don Bosco lives on.