(ANS – Tigaraksa) – The Salesian Youth Pastoral Commission of the delegation of Indonesia together with the youth of St John Bosco Parish of Jakarta organized a full week Bosconian Youth Gathering (28 June – 5 July 2015) to celebrate the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco.

By Fr. Andre Delimarta, SDB

Participating in this event were youth leaders coming from all over Indonesia where the SDB are working (Jakarta, Tangerang, Serpong, Surabaya, Blitar, Purwodadi, Sumba). The meeting of these youth leaders started with 3 days Youth Leader Formative experience in Tigaraksa, in which they discussed some selected topics from the recently published book: Salesian Youth Ministry, frame of reference.

A full day enjoying the city of Jakarta followed the said event where the youth leaders visited the National Monument, Museums, the Cathedral and the Old City. Then the leaders joined another 150 youth from St John Bosco Parish for a three-day youth camp in an island located just off the north coast of Jakarta.

The camp was basically organized by the youth themselves. Talks and games were also formative in nature. In all the activities the SDBs and FMAs were actively involved especially in assisting. The celebration was highlighted with the solemn inculturation of Eucharistic celebration presided by the Provincial of ITM, with the delegate and 18 SDBs concelebrating. After the Eucharist, supper and a cultural night followed.

It was a very formative week full of joy, gratitude and friendship. But most of all their love for Don Bosco grew stronger.

Published 15/07/2015