The Salesian National Delegate for Youth Ministry Fr Rosendo Soler pointed out that as regards the World Youth Day (WYD), “we Salesians see it through the eyes of love and prepare to work for it.” He then explained the significance of this youth event willed by the Pope and its importance in creating “opportunities where the young can express their faith”.

Fr Soler explained the programme of the WYD and its preparation, with the pilgrimage of the Youth Cross in all the dioceses; he described how WYD itself would be organised according the information provided by the Madrid diocese, and encouraged all the members of the Salesian Family to become involved and feel part of this special celebration of faith, of youth and of the Church.

To give some idea of how the WYD had been celebrated on previous occasions 4 members of the Salesian Youth Movement  spoke about their experiences of being involved.

Fr Luis Alberto Guijarro, in charge of Salesian Pastoral work in Madrid, spoke about the present state of the preparations being made in the Salesian and FMA centres to welcome the over  7000 young people expected. Parishes, schools, and other centres have been made available to the Diocese of Madrid to host the young people coming to the WYD and the  Salesians and the FMA, like the other Congregations, have asked the organisers to be able to provide accommodation for the young people who will be  arriving from Salesian centres all over the world.

Fr Guijarro also spoke about the work being done by the various  commissions set up for the occasion (logistics, pastoral, communication, voluntary service...) and the other activities being undertaken to prepare the young people for  the WYD: catechesis, material for group meetings, prayers...

The day was organised by the Madrid Salesian Formation Delegation which during the year will be calling two other similar meetings for Salesians and other members of the Salesian Family.

Published 08/03/2011