(ANS – Padua) – On Saturday 4 April 2026, the Sanctuary of Arcella in Padua – a place steeped in memory and spirituality where St Anthony concluded his earthly life – welcomed around 150 young people from the Salesian groups of the Salesian Youth Movement Triveneto for an intense retreat in preparation for Easter. A simple experience, in the Salesian style, yet deeply meaningful: making room for the Lord to prepare to receive the gift of his Resurrection. The retreat was led by Sister Paola Vendrame, who guided the participants in a reflection on the theme of peace, the heart of the Easter message. The proposed programme helped the young people to re-examine their lives in the light of the Gospel, rediscovering how the Lord continues to enter into their concrete stories, bringing a new peace – often unexpected, but always possible. Particularly significant was the time spent in the ‘desert’, lived in silence and contemplation, during which each person was able to pause before the Lord, listen to their inner self and allow themselves to be questioned by His Word. There was also the opportunity to approach the sacrament of reconciliation, a central experience in the journey of preparation for Easter.
