(ANS- Cantabria) – Salesian Youth Ministry in Spain organised a retreat for young people which ran from 16-20 August. The topic was “Time for inward reflection for young people. Allow silence to speak” The retreat was held at the Soto de Iruz Monastery (Cantabria)

The Retreat was for 21 year-olds and beyond and involved 45 people from the various Spanish provinces. The organisers saw the purpose of the Retreat as offering a “Christian community living experience based on silence and prayer, and plumbing the depths of our existence”.

Over the days, retreatants had a chance to examine their relationship with God especially in silence, prayer, and chances to talk together. For the organisers “the silence was a special occasion for encountering God, one that is so often missing in a world with too much noise”.

The Retreat was yet another Youth Ministry initiative which Salesians in Spain carried out over the summer period. Since July there have been summer camps, various summer activities for youngsters in the cities, volunteer opportunities in developing countries, and other activities involving thousands of young people, SDB and FMA leaders.

“Time for inward reflection for young people. Let the silence speak” at the Soto de Iruz Monastery followed the line being pursued over recent years by Salesian Youth Ministry: accompaniment for young people, offering them a process of growth in appreciation of their Christian way of life. There have been many activities long these lines in recent years such as youth accompaniment formation courses – aimed at Religious and group leaders – retreats or how to form young Christian communities.

Published 20/08/2012