(ANS - Aleppo) - Nearly four years after the outbreak of war, the situation in Aleppo continues to be one of grave insecurity and instability. There are four Salesians in the community - three priests and a deacon who is preparing for the priesthood - and a pre-novice.

Fr Munir El Rai, SDB,

Provincial of the Middle East

We are carrying on with our regular activities - catechism, groups, formation meetings for university students, sports and games. Every Friday about 300 boys and girls from elementary school through to high school attend catechism classes. Recently the number has increased for various reasons. One is that the area where the oratory is located has been relatively safe so far, compared to other parish youth centres. However, on 18 February our area was hit by five mortars, three of which fell within fifty metres of the school.  Nine civilians were killed, including four students, and more than thirty-five people were injured. We say this to point out that all the citizens of Aleppo are at risk and you cannot say that any area is safe or far from war.

In the past three months we have tried to give due importance to all events, as far as was possible. We celebrated Christmas with Mass, not at midnight, but at 5.00 p.m. because of the insecurity of the situation. On 31 January, we celebrated the Feast of Don Bosco with Mass with the participation of all the clergy of the city, ninety in all, including Orthodox and Protestant.  On the following day, 1 February, we celebrated with the young people of the oratory, their parents and members of the Salesian Family - over 1200 people!

We continue to help young people, children and families in need, with the distribution of food, economic aid and scholarships, and we are able to reach many families.

Emigration continues to increase. The absence of young people aged between 20 and 30 is noticeable. They leave the country to look for a job, for safety and a life of dignity. It is a very sad, because a country cannot grow without the presence of its young people.

With all these difficulties, it might seem that we are losing hope, but not so. The young people who are still here continue to live their lives with great strength, courage and will to live. They continue to go to college, to study and to come to the oratory, helping out in the various activities. Their presence gives us courage and strength to carry on.

We ask you to be close to us in prayer for we have total confidence in the power of prayer.

Published 02/03/2015