The meeting was organised by the pastoral commission of the Middle East Province (MOR), with the aim of offering young people a comprehensive experience integrating spiritual, human and recreational dimensions.
In a context marked by the uncertainty affecting the country and the pain caused by the persistent instability in the Middle East region, this gathering represented a powerful sign of hope, offering young people a safe space in which to come together, share and look to the future with confidence.
A theme that speaks to the lives of young people
The title of the gathering, “Do whatever he tells you”, draws on the Gospel account of the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1–11) and is in harmony with the Rector Major’s Strenna for 2026. The Gospel text offered a concrete framework for understanding young people’s lives, inviting them to recognise themselves in the various characters of the scene: Mary, attentive to needs; Jesus, capable of transforming reality; and the servants, an example of trust and obedience even when they do not fully understand.
This perspective guided the moments of reflection and dialogue, encouraging participants to question their own role in daily life, even amidst the fragilities and challenges of the context in which they live.
A dynamic and engaging programme
The day began at 10:00 local time with a welcome for the groups from Damascus and Aleppo. Participants were given official T-shirts and identification badges. The programme opened with moments of Salesian animation and ice-breaking activities, fostering an atmosphere of openness and fraternity. Subsequently, in the church, the opening prayer took place, accompanied by the distribution of the meeting booklet, containing prayers, songs and personal spaces to share thoughts and memories.
The main part took place in the main hall and included:
- a meditation on the Gospel of Cana
- a theatrical performance
- a spiritual reflection, with a direct link to the lives and challenges of young people
Following this, the participants split into groups for moments of discussion and sharing.
Family spirit and Salesian joy
Lunch, shared on the sports field, was a significant moment of fraternity, a concrete expression of the family spirit typical of the Salesian experience.
In the afternoon, the “Cana Olympics” took place, a team competition organised into four stations, which highlighted collaboration, teamwork and unity among the participants.
A conclusion that looks to the future
The day concluded with the Eucharistic celebration, the culminating moment of thanksgiving for the experience.
Following this, the group photo symbolically expressed the unity forged during the gathering.
Not an end point, but a new beginning: the young people returned at 7.00 pm, taking with them Mary’s invitation, the heart of the gathering’s message: “Do whatever he tells you”, a concrete call to live their faith with confidence and to be signs of hope in their own communities.
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