(ANS - Bratislava) - The XXV International Salesian Youth Games  will take place from 30 April to 5 May in Bratislava, Slovakia.  About 1,000 young athletes will take part, coming from eleven countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Slovakia. On the Sunday, Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, ninth successor of Don Bosco and Rector Major emeritus of the Salesians, will celebrate Mass for them.

For the first time, the organizers have managed to bring together in one place the venues of all the different sports competitions. This will save time in travel and will offer young people a new experience which they call "Valdocco," a place where they will share meals, friendship, relaxation, and moments of culture and information, at the sports centre.

There will also be the "tent of meeting," a small church where the Eucharist will be reserved. This will give the young people the opportunity for daily Mass and time for personal prayer.These facilities will allow the Salesians of Slovakia to offer the young people a true experience of Salesian youth spirituality.

The opening ceremony of the games takes place on Thursday 1 May, at 20.00 local time (GMT +2 ).  Many members of the Salesian Family of the Slovak Republic will be present.  The opening ceremony will be televised - thanks to TV Noe (Christian television of the Czech Republic) and will be available also on the internet.

The Sunday Mass  on 4 May, will be presided over by the Rector Major emeritus, Fr Chávez. Several European ambassadors in Bratislava have confirmed their intention to be present at the closing ceremony.

The Fourteenth International Salesian Youth Games are also well reported on the digital continent and in the social networks: there is a dedicated website, in English, and profiles on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. 

With the organization of the Fourteenth International Salesian Youth Games, the Salesians of Slovakia celebrate the 90th anniversary of their arrival in the country.

Published on 29/04/2013