(ANS – Turin)– European Provincial Youth Ministry Delegates met in Valdocco from 20 to 22 November.  The meeting was convened by the Department for Youth Ministry and thirty-six Salesians took part.

The first day of the meeting was spent exchanging views on the role and the challenges of the Delegate for Youth Ministry in the different provinces. In the second session, the delegates reflected on the projects undertaken in the three regions of Europe in recent years, and also on the help given by the Department to the different provinces and regions during this six-year period. At the end of the second day, they reflected on a summary of the contributions that had come from the provincial councils for the rethinking of youth ministry.

One of the highlights was the presentation of the draft of the new Framework of Reference for Youth Ministry. Gratitude was expressed to the Department for the work done in recent years with regard to this process. The hope and the wish of everyone present is that this document will assist the different provinces in coming to a better understanding and articulation of Salesian Youth Ministry. Useful suggestions were made to help with the translation, publication and assimilation of the Framework after GC27.

During the meeting, information was given on some of the initiatives that the Department has organized: two Consultative Committees, one on Returning to Don Bosco  and the other  entitled Evangelize and Educate: Reflections on Rethinking Youth Ministry; the four Seminars on Spiritual Direction in a Salesian Perspective; the work of the European Group for Vocational Education and Training; the Network of European Projects;  theCommission on Salesian Schools (SDB-FMA) in Europe;  and the SYM Meeting on Don Bosco in 2015. There was also some discussion on the different areas of provincial and regional planning to be prioritized in the coming years.

The contribution of the delegates is invaluable and indispensable in achieving important goals in European youth ministry, as can be seen in the numerous and varied initiatives for the Bicentenary.

Positive signs of hope are certainly not lacking in the Europe of today. Indeed, they are numerous and are found both within the Church and in civil society. The proclamation of the Gospel in the Salesian Provinces of Europe is taking place with determination, vigour and courage on the part of both Salesians and lay people. We need to engage ever more critically with the present cultural situation in Europe, evaluating emerging trends and the most important facts and situations of our time in the light of the centrality of Christ and of Christian anthropology. This presupposes two essential steps: a thorough knowledge of young people, which can only come from being close to them and listening to their questions; and a systematic training of delegates for the youth ministry, who will give real leadership in the different situations in the provinces.

Published 25/11/2013