| Mexico – Young people, agents of change |
| Mexico – A ray of light amid the gloom |
| A sad society |
The march, under the banner “Against violence in Mexico - in favour of peace,” followed the tragic killing of Daniela Michelle Hernández, a 11 year old girl, a faithful altar server who with thousands of other youngsters had taken part in the youth events “Easter with Jesus” and “Holidays with Don Bosco”. On 24 May she had made her first communion; she was a member of the parish youth group, regularly attending the Oratory, cheerful, simple, a good friend to everyone.
The Salesians Fr Juan de Dios Saúl Santiago Velasco, Rector and parish priest, Fr Abel Jorge Morales Cedillo and Fr Francisco Ángeles García, after reading the Gospel led the march through the streets of Puebla, accompanied by youngsters, young people, parents, the elderly and working people. The local mass-media highlighted the event and made known the particulars of this tragic episode.
Young people also put up posters urging that violence should not prevail over the life of the citizens, denouncing violence, drug trafficking, criminal activities and inviting the citizens to protect the children and the young.
The killing of Daniela was similar to the events in Ciudad Juárez where during a party on 23 October 14 young people between 11 and 19 were found dead riddled with bullets and many others wounded. The following day Sunday 24 October, there was another spate oif killings in the “El Camino” rehabilitation centre in the rural area of Tijuana: were 13 young people lost their lives. These episodes appeared to be the follow up to the absurd threat made by the drug traffickers that for every ton of drugs seized they would kill 135 people.
In spite of their fear the young people of the Salesian parish were out in force marching for peace as far as the parish centre where Mass was celebrated, thus concluding the novena dedicated to Daniela. In his homily, Fr Santiago Velasco invited parents not to neglect their children, to play with them, talk with them, devote their time to them, and guide them with the Christian values which are the most effective weapons against violence, educating them in the faith, to solidarity, and to pray to the Lord for peace.
Durung the Mass there was a commemoration of Daniela, remembered as an example of friendship with Christ. In concluding, Fr Santiago Velasco invited all those present to sing “Father, teacher and friend,” Daniela’s favourite. Then the people went to her home to carry the cross with her parents and friends in an atmosphere of prayer.
In the “Editorial” section of ANS there is a reflection on these tragic events.
Published 28/10/2010
