(ANS – La Paz) – On Saturday 22 October the Salesian University of Bolivia (USB) held its IV Youth Day attended by 1,145 young university students. Organised by Fr Thelían Corona, Rector of the USB, with the Pastoral and Public Relations Team and the Human and Christian Formation staff, it was attended also by Bishop Fernando Bascopé Müller SDB auxiliary bishop of El Alto.

The Day reflected the World Youth Day held in  Madrid last summer with the invitation to respond to the theme proposed by Pope Benedict XVI “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.” Five main speakers helped the young people appreciate the significance in the own lives of sound foundations and roots. 

In the afternoon, led by the Band of the Calacoto Dominic Savio Institute they marched through the streets of La Paz for three kilometres as far as the Plaza Mayor, in front of the entrance to the Basilica of Saint Francis where they celebrated five stations of the Via Crucis.

Then in the church there was Mass at which Bishop Bascopé Müller explaining the gospel invited the university students to use all their strength and entrusting themselves to the love of Christ to be convinced witnesses to the truth, to deepen their knowledge of the Word of God and to love the Church. Only in this way is it possible to live their lives in Christ and be firm in the faith.

The witness given by the 1,145 young students was visible in the whole city thanks to the various posters on display, the friendships made and their obvious commitment to the faith. As well as being an expression of joy in the face of the country’s difficulties, the Youth Day was also a source of hope for the future generations.

Published 26/10/2011