(ANS – Madrid) – The third meeting of the International Theological and Salesian Pastoral Team took place from 1-3 March at Don Bosco House, Madrid. This working group, made up of 12 Salesians and led by the Youth Ministry Department, focused on drawing up a new preparatory draft for the third edition of: “Salesian Youth Ministry. Basic Frame of Reference”.

Amongst the issues tackled in greater depth were: further clear integration of theology and Christian anthropology; pastoral options for a more explicit evangelisation; strengthening the relationship between evangelisation and education; community and ecclesial experience; Salesian youth spirituality; charismatic attention to the poor; the primacy of personal contact; acceptance and respect for diversity; listening, relationship and dialogue in the various geographical contexts where the Salesians are working.

All participants were happy with the new pedagogical articulation of the text and the sense of hope that emerges from its pages. The new definition offers a renewed Youth Ministry which accompanies young people in their human growth to maturity and in their spiritual growth and which takes as its fundamental task that of favouring the encounter of the young with Jesus and their discovery of the Gospel as energy for their existence.

The new text presents its self as being especially in continuity with the Salesian Youth Ministry carried out in recent years in the Congregation, although containing certain changes undertaken to respond adequately to the dynamics of transformation marking social ad ecclesial circumstances today; all changes have been thought through in order to faithfully serve the Gospel and young people today.

A short video summary of the meeting is available on the “Boscomedia24” channel on YouTube.

Published 05/03/2013