In a spirit of dialogue, listening, sharing experiences, and above all concrete commitment, each participant contributed from personal experience and from an attentive reading of today’s historical and social realities. Together, they highlighted the importance of a pastoral approach that offers spaces for listening, closeness, true and sincere friendship, a personal encounter with Jesus, and service to others—by listening to Jesus and doing what he tells us.
Coordinated by the Youth Ministry Sector, this moment offered all participants a framework of dialogue in the Spirit, made up of questions and answers and rich in content. It created a genuine opportunity to listen to the words of Mary: “Do whatever he tells you.”
Young People with Open Hearts
The sharing of the young people during this dialogue in the Spirit made it possible to understand more deeply their expectations and desires.
Below are some of their responses to the questions posed:
What Is Faith for You, Based on Your Personal Experience?
“My faith is dialogue with God, listening to God, feeling his presence, trusting him, remaining faithful to him, living Gospel values and witnessing to them in our life contexts.”
“My faith is not so much about understanding God, but about choosing to remain even when I understand nothing—neither his plans, nor his timing, nor what is happening to me.”
“My faith is my friendship, my relationship with Jesus.”
In Which Places or Moments, Within Salesian Houses, have You Grown in Your Friendship with Jesus?
- In the people I meet every day who welcome me—those I greet at the oratory, the youth center, and at school.
- In the playground during recreation, in study halls, with the presence of Salesian educators who accompanied us.
- During spiritual retreats and in the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
- In moments of youth prayer and especially in service to others.
- I meet Jesus and grow in my faith in small groups of listening, sharing, prayer, communion, and meditation on the Word of God—groups where everyone feels at home, loved, and not judged. I also meet him through accompaniment and service to younger children, for example at the oratory and in catechism.
What Would You Ask Don Bosco for the Salesian Family If He Were Here Today?
- To remind them not to forget that prayer is the means of keeping God present in our lives.
- To take care of the community.
- To accompany each young person personally and patiently.
- To be credible witnesses, faithful to the charism entrusted to them to educate and accompany us.
- To be like brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers—a living presence in our environments and spaces.
- To help us find Jesus and not let us drift away.
- To show through their witness that it is possible to be happy.
What Do You Ask of the Salesian Family to Accompany You Better?
- “If I had to ask only one thing of the Salesian Family, it would be to truly care for the processes and spaces where young people feel accompanied and welcomed as they are.”
- “I ask them to continue listening to the cry of young people.”
- “I ask the members of the Salesian Family to carry forward this educational and spiritual mission with young people.”
- “Dear Salesian Family, I ask you to truly be with us—not only present, but close to us.”
- “Do not be afraid to ask us for help; we young people are here and happy to spend time with those who have raised us, accompanied us, and loved us.”
- “Continue to count on us to support the mission.”
- “Work in communion and be consistent witnesses of Christian life.”
Passion and Commitment of a Family at the Service of Young People
In an attitude of listening and prayer, and in light of the expectations expressed by the young people, the members of the Salesian Family also opened their hearts.
What Can Be Done Today to Awaken and Accompany the Faith of Young People?
- “Never place programs before people, contact, and concrete gestures of love.”
- “Young people do not reject faith itself, but a distorted image of God. We must show them a human and concrete Jesus—one who cares about their lives, understands their fragility and dreams, walks with them as a companion rather than judging them, and invites them to a full, free, and authentic life.”
- “Offer prayer and moments of encounter with Jesus through the Word and spiritual activities.”
- “What truly awakens faith is the personal and community witness of authentic and credible adults.”
- “Faith is not primarily about rules or practices, but about encountering God’s love. When young people experience genuine attention, welcome, and accompaniment, faith becomes real and meaningful for them.”
What Commitments Should We Take On Today to Do What the Lord Tells Us?
- “Remain rooted in Christ; only then does our presence among young people become meaningful and authentic.”
- “Choose presence over distance, relationships over rules and structures, accompaniment over merely organizing activities.”
- “Promote active and empathetic listening in order to understand young people’s needs and challenges.”
A Shared Dream for the Future
This reflection offers a simple yet rich synthesis of the great desires and dreams of young people, together with the equally great and urgent commitment of the Salesian Family to them.
The charism of Don Bosco remains alive and, together with young people, will continue to live for the good of humanity, for the good of the Church, and for the good of our societies.
God is present in his young people, and Mary likely invites us to listen to what Jesus will tell us through them and with them.
