SYM meeting “Special” in Tokyo

By Mr. Mitsuhiro Tateishi

Tokyo, Japan, 22 October 2017 -- SYM meeting “Special” was held at the Salesian Seminariate in Chofu, Tokyo, gathering 60 youth and companions on their journey – FMA, SDB, leaders – around the Salesian Emeritus Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chavez. Fr, Chavez delivered his heartfelt fervent message to the Salesian youth of Japan.

“Do not be indifferent to the important issues in the world, in society today. Let’s take action with courage to go against the current. A new and better world depends on you. Give yourselves, follow Jesus who loved us to the end, be like Don Bosco who was faithful to his dream, let’s go forward, seeking the meaning of our life.”

The following day, on 22, about 180 members from 8 groups of the Salesian Family in Japan gathered for the annual “Salesian Family Day” held at the Salesian Sisters’ Seibi Institute in Akabane, Tokyo, also made special by the presence of Fr. Chavez.

The academia was followed by mass celebrated by Fr. Chavez with Provincial Fr. Mario Yamanouchi and others, after which dinner was shared.

In the academia, there were performances by the Salesian Sisters and the Salesian Cooperators, introducing of the young members of the 3 religious groups, and the presentation by this year’s young volunteers of the “Don Bosco Volunteers Group”. Fr. Chavez gave a talk focusing on ‘Mission’, the main theme of the day, as it was the World Mission Sunday.

Fr. Chavez exhorted us with this message: “The youth shared with us their wonderful experience of going out of themselves and sharing what they have with others. We are a missionary ‘Family’ that goes to the ends of the world to convey the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s trust in God’s guidance and go out to share our joy with the people all over the world, also in the ‘digital continent’, who do not yet know this joy!” Fr. Pascual also expressed his thanks for the many encounters and family sharing he experienced during this visit in Japan.

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