(ANS – San Paolo) – In view of the approaching World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro the site of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Brazil has been put on-line. In Brazil it is better known as the “Articulação da Juventude Salesiana” (AJS). The site gives a history of the Movement and presents the messages of the Rector Major and of the Mother General addressed to the participants of WYD.

On the site is also information about various Salesian events which will take place in the context of the WYD, such as the SYM celebration, the continental meeting and the Pre-World Youth Day. The texts are available in five languages: Portuguese, Italian, English, Spanish and French.

There is a full account of the Salesian Youth Movement which in Brazil has just acquired its first National Council, and its nature is clearly explained.

A Movement since it is an experience that is ecclesial, collective and articulated, prevalently lay, structured according to a faith journey with its origin in a specific charism, given by the Holy Spirit to society through the Church.

Youth, since in the large community of the Church it recognises the young especially the poor as an indispensable  force for evangelisation. It brings together people of a broad age-span, from 10 year old children to young adults of 30, who identify themselves as leaders committed to accompanying other young people.

Educational, since it accompanies the young in their growth process on the basis of the values of the Gospel of Christ recognised as a model to follow to achieve human and Christian maturity.

Missionary since it is open to all young people and through them and with them it wants to offer to others the good fortune of living in Christ. It is an experience of youth evangelisation with missionary zeal in a setting of young people for young people.

Sociopolitical, since as part of the real situation in the world it desperately want to propose change in society, in order to build a civilisation of love.

Salesian, since the youth groups and associations linked to the idea, while maintaining their own autonomy, see themselves in Salesian youth spirituality and in Don Bosco’s  Preventive System.

The site can be found on: www.mjs.org.br

Published 14/09/2012