Thursday 28 May was led by Fr Rossano Sala, who offered two reflections on the second chapter of the Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference (SYMFR). The first, entitled “Evangelisation today: Christological and ecclesiological criteria”, proposed a reinterpretation of the Church’s mission in the light of a synodal perspective.
At the heart of his talk was the journey to Emmaus as a permanent paradigm for youth ministry: a journey that moves from listening to proclamation, and on to mission. In this perspective, the encounter with the Risen Christ transforms disappointment into hope and becomes a model for educational and spiritual accompaniment. This journey illuminates the vocational path of young people and stands as a fundamental reference point for the Salesian charism and for the life of the Church.
The second reflection, building on the previous one, explored the theme “From Christ the Evangeliser to the Church as Evangeliser”, highlighting the Christian community’s responsibility in continuing Jesus’ mission. Evangelisation thus emerges not merely as the transmission of content, but as a living encounter that generates communion and spiritual renewal.
On Friday 29 May, Fr Paweł Wątor spoke on the challenge of evangelisation in the digitalised world. His reflection highlighted how the digital revolution is profoundly transforming the ways in which we communicate, work and relate to one another, thereby also affecting the Church’s evangelising mission.
By placing the digital phenomenon within the context of major contemporary cultural transformations, it was emphasised that pastoral ministry is today called to engage with an environment characterised by interactive technologies, artificial intelligence and global connections. In this context, the communication of the faith requires new languages and forms capable of adapting to change without losing authenticity and depth.
The morning of Saturday 30 May was devoted to an in-depth examination of the SYMFR and the presentation of the Rector Major’s six-year term plan. Fr Rafael Bejarano, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, presented the key options of the documents, highlighting their value as a guide for pastoral animation in the various provinces.
Faced with a creative and resilient youth, the Salesians are confronted with profound challenges linked to phenomena such as poverty, migration, violence and the climate crisis. Pastoral commitment thus translates into an educational presence, accompaniment and the creation of concrete opportunities for young people.
In the second part of the morning, Fr Joebeth Vivo guided the participants through a summary of the journey undertaken, offering criteria and tools to revisit the content covered in a coherent manner. In this context, a practical tool was presented, designed to help delegates connect and explore the fundamental concepts of Salesian youth ministry based on the QRPGS.
As Fr Vivo himself emphasised, “to synthesise means learning to connect what we experience, think and share, in order to transform it into concrete guidelines for the mission”. From this perspective, synthesis takes the form of an exercise in integrating experience, reflection and planning, aimed at building a coherent and meaningful vision of educational and pastoral service.
On Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday, the participants visited the Don Bosco House Museum at the Salesian Generalate and explored the city of Rome from a Salesian perspective, retracing the places visited by Don Bosco during his stays in the capital. These moments, combined with opportunities for fraternal sharing and rest, helped to strengthen the spirit of communion and fostered a sense of community with the Salesians at the Generalate.
In this atmosphere of fraternity and reflection, the delegates are preparing to tackle the second week of formation with renewed enthusiasm.
{gallery}RMG – Scuola PG 28-31-05-2026{/gallery}
