05 September 2019

A total 45 young Salesian Priests and coadjutor brother, from Six Provinces in South Asia attended a four-day training program in Youth Ministry, the first of its kind, organized by the DBYA - SA (Don Bosco Youth Animation – South Asia), at Don Bosco Skill Mission, Bangalore from August 21-24, 2019. The training program intended to train young Salesians in Youth Ministry and make them aware of the tenets of the Salesian Youth Spirituality.

The program included sessions, group sharing, activities and moments of prayer animated by Salesians from the six provinces. After the welcome and introduction, in the first session Fr Robert Simon SDB spoke on the topic ‘Culture of Young People in India: An Analysis’. He introduced the existing trends among the youth and also how the youth developed their characteristic traits influenced by the culture of the times.

The next session was taken by Fr Maria Charles SDB, on ‘Encountering Young People – Platforms & forms of Interventions’ wherein he first introduced the participants to the different mindsets and aspirations of Young people informing them about the draft of the New Education Policy and how it will affect the entire dynamics of Catholic Educational Institutions.

In the third session, ‘A Re-look at Don Bosco: His Predilection & Relevance’ Fr John Rosario SDB spoke about Don Bosco’s predilection for the poor and Abandoned Young People of Turin, documental basis, situation and its relevance in today’s time. In the next session on ‘Portraying Don Bosco Today,’ he spoke of the various styles Don Bosco employed in dealing with his boys; styles which included extreme prudence coupled with humour. He provoked the participants to introspect on what motivates them in dealing with the young.

In the evening of the same day, Fr Maria Charles expounded the ‘Don Bosco Youth Policy’ carefully detailing its need, relevance and scope. This policy would give a definite identity to the Salesian work in India. After dinner, a lighter moment was organized by the priests of the Konkan – Panjim Province animating the participants through action-songs, singsong and games.

The next day began with the Holy Eucharist animated by the Salesians of Trichy Province. After breakfast, Fr Charles took a session on the basics of Salesian Youth Ministry familiarizing the participants first with the various terms used in Salesian Youth Ministry and also introducing them to the hierarchy and the various commissions present in the country in the Youth Ministry Department.

This was followed by a session by Fr Robert Simon expounding the principles of the Salesian Preventive System exhorted the participants to find out first the rationale behind doing whatever they do. He explained what lies behind the implementation of the three pillars of the system, namely reason, religion and loving kindness and its relevance in each one’s local context. It was followed by a lively group discussion on practical aspect of practicing Preventive System animated by Fr. Maria Charles. Eight different problems were given to eight different groups and they were asked to present how Salesian practicing Preventive System would deal with them. Charts were prepared by the groups and presented in common.

Fr. Selva Kumar in his session “Social Media for Youth Ministry: Encountering the Young in Virtual Space,” spoke about cyber field and massive challenges that lies before us today. He told the participants this would be our digital ministry, and Social Media is our ground. We need to be careful about what we update on the social media. If we use it prudently, it would help us to save many souls who have forgotten their own identity. In the Evening session Fr. Maria Charles spoke on the “Developing a Planning Attitude in Youth Ministry.” He said that we are doing good job, but we need to grow, we are making positive impact on the lives of the young, but now we have to be more articulate in it. Our Educative Pastoral Community (EPC, EPCC and SEPP) has a vital role to play in it and we must use them in our mission.

Third day began with Morning Prayers and Holy Eucharist which were animated and celebrated by the Young Salesians of Mumbai Province. In the morning session Fr. Sivy Koroth spoke about Salesian Youth Spirituality. He asked the participants to share the memories of a young saint in their lives and dwelt upon the relevance of Don Bosco’s unique spirituality. He stressed on the importance of giving Jesus to young ones in our mission. In the second session of the day Fr. Paulraj Amalraj, spoke on “Art of Accompanying Young People – Counselling and Vocational Guidance.” He began with very unique exercise and stressed on the important skill of observation in our daily lives. He also highlighted the various conceptions of counselling among young and the educators. In conclusion he gave participants the Emmaus Model of counselling as take away of the session. In the afternoon, Fr. Maria Charles animated the group on “Traits and Skills of Youth Minister” in a group session.

In the evening session Fr. Maria Lawrence spoke on, “Youth Ministry in Digital Age: tips for work and management.” He explained that today’s technical advancements looked impossible and difficult, few people dared and changed the face of humanity. At the same time, he exhorted the participants to be very cautious about the advancements in the digital age and protect our privacy. Vespers of the day were animated by young Salesians of Trichy Province. As a part of the lighter moments and virtual world ministry Fr. Selva Kumar had thrown an open challenge to participants to come up with creative videos based on youth-related themes. Each of the eight groups presented a one-minute video presentation which could be posted in social media.

Final day began with the Lectio Divina and Holy Eucharist animated by the young Salesians of Chennai province. Fr. Maria Charles asked participants in a short session, “What Kind of Salesians for Youth of Today?” He asked all the participants, to be relevant, be innovative, target the right group and be prepared to face the challenges that awaits them: ‘To give young people what they want and not what we want. They are looking for God and let’s be facilitators in this process’, he said. In the second last session Fr. Albert Johnson, dwelt upon various “Evolving Youth Ministry Structures,” in our mission. He stressed on the importance of Organic Provincial Plan that directs and guides the vision of entire province. He said, ‘as there are various types of youth present in our ministry, we cannot apply one plan to all; we need to be flexible to develop and adapt new plans as per the target group’. The final session of the four-day course was animated by Fr. Robert Simon, in which he asked the participants to “Develop an Oratorian Heart – Salesian Youth Movement.” He began his session with very creative group activity and asked Salesians to think out of the box. ‘It is high time’, he said, ‘when we need to evaluate and take necessary measures to evolve our mission; We need to create Youth Space in our sectors and we should be willing to waste time with the youth if we want to be effective in our mission; We may have lot of fun with them, but we cannot forget to give them Jesus and direction for their lives’.

To end the four days wonderful learning experience the organizers in a session on ‘way forward’ asked participants to take three lines of action in their individual youth ministry, in that of their provinces and at the national level. Fr. Sandesh Fernandes (INP) expressed words of gratitude. Fr. Maria Charles concluded the programme by prayer to Mary Help of Christians and asked the young Salesians to be agents of change in their own missions.

-Fr. Austin Fernandes SDB

​