| Italy – Forum of the Salesian Youth Movement of Central Italy |
| Italy - Don Bosco arrives in “his own district”... |
| Italy – Don Bosco arrives in Rome |
1200 young people from the houses of the Salesians and of the FMA from the 8 Regions of Italy having arrived at the large centre of Cinecittà gathered in the great Basilica around the casket containing a relic of Don Bosco. Among the guests of honour were the Minister for Youth, Giorgia Meloni, the Rector Major of the Salesians Fr Pascual Chávez and in the evening Magdi Cristiano Allam. Also present were Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, Provincial of ICC, and Sr. Emilia Musatti, Vicar General of the FMA.
The Hon. Meloni, moved by the singing and the enthusiasm of the young people spoke about her experience as a Minister and while recognising that often public opinion and the media concentrate of the problems of the young – “making more noise” – expressed her commitment to and admiration for “the forest which grows silently” like that present in the Basilica. What had struck her most about Don Bosco was the expression referring to him: “he walked as though he saw the invisible.”
Fr Chávez spoke next. Surrounded by volunteers who had organised and managed the Forum, the Rector Major repeated his invitation to the young people to take the lead in the their own lives, in society and in the church. Pointing out the difference between choosing a job and responding to a vocation, Fr Chávez asked them to aim high. “It is worth it to put one’s life on the line, as Don Bosco did, who let himself be guided by a dream which gave meaning to his whole life.”
Some of things Fr Chávez touched on in his talk were the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian Congregation, a commitment to studies as the foundation of a preparation for the future, the courage to make one’s own choices, and some incidents from his own life.
At the end as usual there were some questions from young people about vocation, a decision to serve others and education.
In the evening after a period of celebration and dancing in the courtyard, the young people listened to the third talk in which Magdi Cristiano Allam gave his own testimony about his conversion: from being a Muslim, a convinced searcher for the truth in freedom, to becoming a Christian.
Published 02/05/2009
