(ANS – Mogyoród) – Between 15 and 18 March at Mogyoród, near Budapest, the leaders from the Salesian Oratories in Hungary held their annual meeting. One hundred and twenty young people gathered to study Salesian youth spirituality. Also present were some young leaders from Italy who came specially for the occasion, and on Saturday 17 March the Nuncio Apostolic, Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello only recently  arrived in the country.

For four days they examined and reflected on issues such as the value of the meeting itself, spirituality,  the oratory and  celebration, identified as key elements in the Salesian youth  spirit.

The work was introduced by  Fr Vitalis Gábor, Vice Provincial and Delegate for Youth and Vocation Ministry. Then Sr Costabile Carolina FMA one of the organisers of the event emphasised the importance for young people of a international approach; for this reason she explained, for the second time some Italian leaders had been invited to take part.

Led by Sr Anna Peron, the one responsible for Youth Ministry in the  Italy-Triveneta Province the 10 young Italians made their own contribution on topics such as  Salesian leadership and the characteristic features of the oratory and the oratory way of living, and shared with the young Hungarians in the various activities organised.

Also taking part was Sr Maria Luisa Miranda, General Councillor of the FMA for the Salesian Family, who praised the leaders for their efforts, their love for the young and the desire to do their best at the service of the oratory.

Archbishop Bottari de Castello, appointed in June 2011 Nuncio Apostolic in Hungary congratulated the Salesians and the young people saying how happy he was to be able to see for himself the youth situation in Hungary, in particular the Salesian pastoral work which he had very much at heart. He reminded them of how the Church needed to be open to the young since they are the future. He said that in the various places where he had been he had always had good relationships with the Salesians whose concern for the young and their efforts in educating them to the Gospel he greatly appreciated.

The meeting ended on Sunday 18 March with a Mass at which Fr Flavio Depaula, Provincial Economer and Secretary presided. In his homily, using the image of the traffic lights he invited the young people to have a great passion for the young (the red light); a shining faith (the yellow light) and joy and hope (the green light).

Published 21/03/2012