The start of the National Games was marked by a vibrant atmosphere, where joy, enthusiasm and the coming together of delegations from various Salesian houses in Portugal and Cape Verde set the tone for an experience that goes far beyond the competitive aspect.
The opening ceremony, held at the Évora Arena, was one of the most significant moments of this edition. The young people took centre stage in a spectacle of music, colour and movement, conceived by Matilde Trocado, which also paid tribute to 100 years of Salesian presence in Évora.
As the days went by, the games got into full swing. The competitions took place in various locations around the city, always accompanied by an atmosphere of joy, respect and camaraderie. Amidst the competitions and smiles, what best defines this experience was cemented: a gathering that educates, brings people together and forges lasting bonds between young people from different backgrounds.
More than the results, what was experienced in Évora was the true “courtyard of Don Bosco”: a space where sport becomes a path of education, friendship and growth. In every match, in every stand and in every moment of fellowship, that family spirit which gives meaning and identity to the Salesian National Games was palpable.
A meaningful conclusion
The final day of the Salesian National Games coincided with the national celebration of Mother’s Day and, in this way, the silent and constant support—made up of encouragement, care and trust—that only a mother can give was also celebrated.
And to mark the day, the athletes were invited to leave their ‘mark’ on a commemorative frame, thus integrating this special date into the course of this great celebration of youth.
The highlight of the final day was undoubtedly the celebration of the Eucharist. Presided over by Fr Tarcízio Morais, Superior of the province, it brought together the various delegations of athletes and their families in the school hall, totalling around 2,000 people.
In his homily, the Provincial recalled that there are words of Jesus that “never grow old”. “In a world so often restless, demanding and competitive, which, like sport, demands a podium at all costs, where competition leaves us restless and breathless, these words come as a embrace”.
And on the occasion of Mother’s Day, the Provincial also highlighted the role of mothers in the lives of young people: “They are often that discreet ‘path’ through which God passes. They are a supporting presence, a word of encouragement, a gaze that believes even when no one else believes any more”.
After the Eucharist, the closing ceremony began. Fr David Teixeira, Rector of the Salesians in Évora, greeted and thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the initiative for their commitment: “The only words that make sense now are ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’. I assure you that from now on I will repeat these two words many times!”, he emphasised. The moment everyone had been waiting for was the announcement made by Fr Morais regarding the venue for the next National Games: in a festive atmosphere, the Salesians of Lisbon received the news that they will be the hosts of the next National Games. Finally, the closing of the 30th edition of the National Games did not merely mark the end of an event, but the return of every young person to their own lives, enriched by all that they had experienced: friendship, learning, personal growth and a sense of belonging to a wider family. In Évora, much more than just sport was celebrated; it was also a way of educating, living and growing – faithful to Don Bosco’s dream and the Salesian mission.
For further information, visit the website: www.jogosnacionais.salesianos.pt/
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