(ANS - Havana)– Forty young people from Santiago de Cuba, Manzanillo, Camagüey, Santa Clara, Manguito and Havana took part in an eight-day summer programme in Havana. It ended with the unanimous cry "Towards 2015.”

By Manel Morancho Peris, SDB, e Alejandro Satorre Morales, SSCC.

The programme was entitled "Young people, live the spiritual experience of Don Bosco." It was intended to conclude the three years of preparation for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco and to mark the opening in Cuba of the Year of Grace for the Salesian Family.

As witnesses of Salesian Youth Spirituality, the young people reflected on their experience of God in everyday life, work, education, recreation and prayer.  Religious themes were suggested by the priests of the Archdiocese of Havana. There were workshops for Community sharing and group dynamics, a cine-forum on the Cuban film "Conducta", moments of prayer using Lectio Divina. There were also cultural and recreational events such as the Cuban Night, based on the culture of the Caribbean country.

On the eve of the 199th birthday of Don Bosco, the young people prepared to take the "Don Bosco Road," a virtual pilgrimage to Becchi, Chieri and Valdocco. For this they got on an Air France plane with a crew of animators and Salesians. The pilgrimage  began in a village near the Boca Ciega beach, where each group of young people presented a reflection inspired by the important places in the life of the Father and Teacher of Youth. The route finished at the Salesian house on the beach. After Mass and lunch,  they had a chance to regain their energy and get some relief from the heat.

On 16 August, the opening Mass of the Bicentenary Year of the birth of Don Bosco was celebrated in the chapel of the house of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Peñalver. The choir was made up of young people who had previously decorated the house and welcomed the members of the Salesian Family who had come for the occasion. The celebration was presided over by Fr Bruno Roccaro, SDB.

The days were marked by joy, learning, sharing of stories, strengthening commitments, finding motivation and making good resolutions as proposed by the animators. It all added up to an experience that fostered the integration of the human dimensions in the practice of everyday life in the Salesian style.

Published 05/09/2014