The combined regional meeting of the delegates for Youth ministry and Missionary animation, jointly animated by the Youth ministry and Mission Departments from Rome took place from 3rd to 7th November, 2019 at Don Bosco provincial house, Shillong.
The first day of animation was officially kick started with formal moments of welcome to all. The inaugural prayer song to the Holy Spirit set the tone for the gathering followed by a welcome song by the students of Dominic Savio Apostolic School, Shillong. Fr. Paul Olphindro the provincial of Shillong welcomed and felicitated Fr. Fabio Attard –General Counselor for Youth Ministry, Fr. Basanes Guillermo – General Counsellor for Missions, Fr. Patrick – Member of the Youth Ministry team, Fr. Martin and Fr. M.C. George – Members of Mission Department and Fr. Maria Charles and Fr. T.J Francis – DBYA Coordinator and Missions Coordinator of South Asia region respectively. Each of the 41 participants were felicitated with traditional gamchcha.
The morning session was a moment of prayer and personal reflection in form of Lectio Divina and a follow up Eucharist guided and presided by Fr. Fabio Attard and concelebrated by the confreres from Tiruchy Province. At the post lunch session by Fr. Patrick introduced the programme methodology and plans for the coming days. Fr. Martin Lasarte who was a member of the recent Amazonian Synod in South America as a representative of Vatican shared his experience. The synod recommends pastoral conversion, Cultural conversion, Ecological Conversion and Synodal conversion in the local Church. Fr. Fabio then invited the gathering to enter into the post synodal Apostolic Letter, Christus Vivit by Pope Francis. The document which concentrates on the young and Youth Ministry within the Church was studied deeply in groups.
On the second day Fr. Fabio animated the delegates on Discernment and Salesian accompaniment basing on part 2 of the Final document of the synod and Christus Vivit. He repeatedly stressed on the importance of spiritual direction and said that only a Salesian who has experienced accompaniment can accompany the other.
On the third day the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Maria Charles, DBYA coordinator with a sentiment of gratitude towards the service he rendered in DBYA with the help of God. Fr. Martin Lasarte, Member of Mission Department, Rome introduced the manual of “Volunteering in the Salesian Mission”. The presentation of the reports from each of the Provincial youth ministry departments and from various DBYA Commissions inspired the delegates to move forward with direction and hope. The visit to the Salesian presences in the province of Shillong was appreciated by all.
Fr. Babu Varghese SDB