The program was graced by the presence of Most Rev. Joseph Nguyen Nang, Archbishop of Saigon; Fr. Barnabas Le An Phong, Provincial of the Vietnam-Mongolia Province (VIE); along with numerous Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and members of the Salesian Family.
The Kick-off: When Youthfulness Encounters the Gospel
Starting at 3:00 PM, the atmosphere erupted with vibrant dances and meaningful ice-breaking games. Under the animation of Fr. Paul Nguyen Toàn Khoa, the “wine of Gospel values” quickly dissolved all distances among the participants.
In his opening remarks, Fr. Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh earnestly invited the young people to make Faith their solid foundation, echoing the spirit of the Jubilee Year of Hope, and to transform their lives into a hymn of service.
Contemplation: Confronting the “Thirst” of the Modern Era
During the keynote session, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Xuan Quang spoke candidly about the inner struggles of today’s youth: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), burnout, and digital dependency. He emphasized: “Faith is not about following the crowd, but a pedagogy of personal listening.”
The most moving moments occurred during the collective examination of conscience and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Long lines of young people patiently waiting at the confessionals resembled the servants of old, sincerely “filling the jars” of their souls with repentance while awaiting the healing grace of God.
The Eucharistic Pinnacle: Three Steps to Encountering Christ
The Thanksgiving Mass, presided over by Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, was the heart of the retreat. Drawing from the image of the Samaritan woman at the well, the Archbishop outlined three fundamental steps in the journey of Faith:
– The Ordinary Encounter: Moving beyond the superficiality of daily survival.
– Touching the Heart: Longing for true joy, following the example of Saint Carlo Acutis.
– Becoming Missionary Disciples: Bringing Christ to others through one’s own happiness.
“If you have not yet tasted the ‘sweetness’ of encountering the Lord, no amount of slogans will make you a missionary,” the Archbishop pointedly reminded the youth.
Salesian Fraternity and the “Sent Forth” Mission
The “Salesian Joy” was vividly expressed through a fraternal dinner and a “Catechetical Mini-game.” By answering questions regarding the Pope’s Lenten Message, the young participants deepened their knowledge naturally, faithful to Don Bosco’s educational method:”Education through joy”.
The program concluded with a prayer vigil reenacting the Wedding at Cana. In his concluding “Goodnight Talk,” Fr. Provincial Barnabas reaffirmed that amidst the storms of life, Faith in God’s love remains the ultimate anchor. The “Sending Forth” rite took place in a spirit of communion, as the youth exchanged symbolic “drops of water” of humanity, pledging to be leaven and salt in the heart of the world.
Though the six hours at Don Bosco Ben Cat have ended, the journey of these 1,100 “young missionaries” has only just begun. The jars are filled, and the choice wine is ready to overflow. May every Salesian youth courageously live by Mary’s words: “Do whatever He tells you.”
Report: Don Bosco Communication Department
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