(ANS - León) – “Knowing your own history in order to fulfil your own dreams” was the motto  for the activities of Campobosco 2012, the first in the series of three planned in preparation for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. It was held between 8 and 10 June at the “Ciudad del Niño Don Bosco” in León.

About 300 youngsters having arrived from the various Salesian centres in the Mexico-Guadalajara Province spent the whole weekend getting to know the story of Don Bosco better, following the path proposed by Fr Pascual Chávez, the Rector Major of the Salesians, in preparation for the l Bicentenary.

The organising team made up of Salesians and lay people had spent months preparing the events on the very full programme; activities made possible by the efforts of many leaders from the Salesian Youth Movement who coordinated the three large groups and sub-groups into which those taking  part were divided.

Two high points on Saturday were: the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening  and the concert lasting well into the night for which the various groups provided  the items.

Sunday was spent publicly demonstrating their belonging to and support for the Salesian charism. A long youth march was organised starting from the Calzada de los Heroes Arch, a monument, symbolic of the city of León. Shouting, singing and praying, to Christ, Mary and Don Bosco, the procession went to the Square near the “Templo Expiatorio”, then the Cathedral dedicated to “The Holy Mother of Light” – where the young people were welcomed by the Rector of the Sanctuary – then to the Giardino Hidalgo, to finally finish at the National Sanctuary of Saint John Bosco, one of the most important churches in  the cit of León.

During the march the youngsters were reminded of Don Bosco’s travelling Oratory between 1841 and 1846 when his preferential option for young people in difficulty came to maturity.

The closing Mass of Campobosco  2012 in the National Sanctuary was celebrated by Fr Salvador Cleofás Murguía, Provincial of Mexico-Guadalajara.

The previous Campobosco in the North Mexican Province was in 1993, on the occasion of the centenary of the presence of the Salesians in the country.

Published 14/06/2012