Fatumaca, Timor Leste, 15 September 2019 -- On 13-15 September, the youth leaders from different youth centres gathered in the newly established Carlo Gama Training Centre at Fatumaca. This is the 17th annual gathering of the Salesian Youth Movement since 2002. Upon arrival, these youth leaders were welcomed by the organizers accompanied by some Salesian priests and FMA sisters. After receiving their ID card and taking some merenda (a snack), the youth leaders assembled in the gym for a photo session of every group and a welcome from the TLS Provincial, Fr. Apolinário Neto, sdb accompanied by both of SDB and FMA Youth Ministry Delegates.
Following this, Fr João Boavida, SDB gave a brief introduction on the theme of this gathering, “Christus Vivit, Young people: Holiness is for you too, you are the ‘now’ of God.” It was a mash-up theme from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation and the Strenna of the Rector Major for this year.
After the talk, all participants proceeded to the grotto of Our Lady for the Mass celebrated by Fr. João Boavida, SDB. There was dinner and a short break before adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession at the same time. The first day of the gathering closed with a good night talk given by the community leader, Fr. Amarianto, SDB.
TLS SYM Annual Gathering_II
DIli, Timor Leste, 16 September 2019 -- The second day of the Salesian Youth Movement gathering was filled with some animated, practical and purposeful activities. As usual, the day began with Morning Prayer together and the Mass. The participants, after taking breakfast, assembled in their respective teams for a group presentation on each chapter of Christus Vivit. A selected group was trying to explain one chapter of Christus Vivit to another visiting group of youth at their base camp, held in a classroom. This program ran for the whole morning.
After lunch, there was a charity in action program. The participants went to visit some families and offered them some kinds of canned food, rice and clothes. Other groups were helping to take water for these families. Some took their time to talk and to share their joy with the elderly people in the nearby surroundings.
In the evening, after the Rosary, the young people assembled again in their groups and shared their experiences. After dinner there was a good night talk given by Sr. Sebastiana FMA, the FMA Provincial Vicar. The last program was a cultural night filled with some presentations on the life of Salesian saints from each community expressing their joy in living out the spirit of youth serving youth.
