(ANS - Tijuana) – For the past five years, the Salesian Volunteer Programme of the Western Province of the United States West has been organizing a vocation retreat for young people at Tijuana in Mexico. This year the initiative was somewhat different, because the participants were invited to spend the New Year with immigrants deported from the United States.

In Tijuana, the Salesians run a centre where they offer breakfast and a shelter for homeless people and those who have been deported and are living on the street. The centre provides food, clothing, a place to stay and spiritual support to help people out of their difficult situation.

Four young people took part in this missionary initiative for the New Year. They left at 6.00 in the morning of 31 December and attended Mass in Tijuana at 7.00 a.m. along with other volunteers from the Salesian centre. After Mass, they started serving breakfast to the homeless which kept them busy until mid-morning. They served more than 1,200 people, welcoming them at the door, praying with them, serving food and drinks, cleaning tables and starting to prepare for the next day.

At 8 o'clock in the evening the four young people joined other volunteers at the centre to serve a hot meal to hundreds of homeless people living along the river bed. The young people from the United States were a bit afraid to go into that area in the evening until they realized that they were dealing with the same people they had met in the morning.

About 10.00 p.m. the young people and volunteers returned to the Salesian House to wait for the beginning of 2014 with a group of homeless people and deportees. Although the centre was beautifully decorated, the homeless deportees showed no signs of hope and optimism as they faced the New Year. One of them told Fr Ernesto Hernandez, SDB, his New Year resolution - to be able to rebuild the relationship with his family. Fr Hernandez encouraged him in this plan and pointed out to him that it will not happen unless he overcomes his addiction to drugs.

At 10.30 p.m. they began a time of discussion, with a dynamic ice-breaker, followed by a meditation and a chance for people to share their wishes and dreams for 2014. Finally, after the countdown to midnight, they welcomed the New Year as one united family and ended the day playing Bingo together.

On the morning of 1 January, the young people were resolved not to forget this experience when they were able to recognize God in each other.

Published 16/01/2014