To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first prophetic dream of St. John Bosco, the Salesian congregation held their first ever Youth Synod from August 11-16 in Turin and Colle Don Bosco, Italy.
St. John Bosco’s dream at 9 years of age would set the direction for the rest of his life as Jesus and Mary appeared to him and told him that it would be through love and kindness that he would win young people over.
Close to 300 young adults from 94 countries attended the Synod, along with 20 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) and 50 Salesian priests, brothers, and novices from numerous countries.
The limited number of participants received a special invitation to represent their countries, and two alumni from St. John Bosco School in San Antonio were amongst those privileged to attend.
Anyssa Gutierrez, a parishioner at St. Paul’s, and Emilio Hernandez, a parishioner at St. Mark the Evangelist, joined Sister Sydney Moss, FMA, coordinator of Youth Pastoral for the Salesian Sisters Western USA Province.
The opening day of the Synod took place in Turin, Italy, where St. John Bosco began his work with disadvantaged boys in the mid 1800’s. The opening Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, rector major of the Salesian Congregation, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, which St. John Bosco built as a monument of gratitude to Mary.
After Mass, participants traveled to Colle Don Bosco, the countryside hamlet where St. John Bosco was born on Aug. 16, 1815. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature and engulfed in an air of simplicity, the participants were able to more profoundly grasp the great work that the Holy Spirit accomplished in Don Bosco’s life, making a great Saint out of a poor farmer from an insignificant countryside home.
The delegates met every day in language groups to discuss the working document which was drafted from input received from all of the Salesian provinces throughout the world regarding the dreams of young people for their personal lives, for the Church, for society, and for the Salesian Youth Movement.
A final document was approved on the last day of the Synod and will be shared with the worldwide Salesian family. The Salesian sisters, priests and brothers worked separately to come up with a Salesian Decalogue highlighting how they can most effectively accompany young people as they work towards achieving the dreams God has for them.
In addition to working on the document, each day included activities such as a circus performance by a group from Slovenia, a Salesian market in which participants exchanged souvenirs from their countries, a magic show by three Salesian priests from Spain, and a birthday party for St. John Bosco. Daily Mass and confession were also available.
Participants were privileged to attend the final Mass celebrated by Fr. Ángel in his position as rector major. Father Ángel was appointed a cardinal and ordained a bishop on April 20, 2024, and according to canon law, he can no longer serve as rector major. Upon renouncing this role at the end of the liturgy on August 16, Father Stefano Martoglio, vicar general of the congregation, became the interim rector major until the Salesians hold their General Chapter in February 2025.
Attending the Synod was an unforgettable experience and was like being in Salesian heaven for a week, with people from “every nation, race, people and tongue” (Revelations 7:9).
“What stood out to me the most was the diversity of the different cultures,” commented Emilio. “It was great to hear from different viewpoints and opinions.”
This also stood out to Anyssa who said that “despite the cultural and age differences, we all had similar dreams and were united by the same Salesian spirit. It was a beautiful experience to stand and pray in the same places where St. John Bosco lived!”
Video highlights from each day of the Synod can be found on the Salesian News Agency YouTube channel, @ANSchannel, as well as the livestream of the opening and closing Eucharistic celebrations and the celebration of St. John Bosco’s birthday.
