(ANS – Ayagualo) – During  the week-end May 5-6, in the “Sacred Heart” Salesian Retreat House of Ayagualo, the first national meeting  on the topic of Preferential Option was held.  Taking part were various representatives of the Salesian Family; besides the Salesians there were Daughters of the Divine Saviour, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators and Associates of the Damas Salesianas. Boys and girls of the Salesian Youth Movement also took part, along with directors, oratory staff, lay persons involved and some young people who are the natural beneficiaries of the Salesian Preferential Option.

The meeting was led by Fr. Figueroa, SDB and 55 people took part, all directly involved  in work with the most needy. The central theme was the study of the social situation of El Salvador and of new challenges.

Fr. Figeroa said that the commitment of whoever shares in reflection on the preferential option consists “in  furthering sensibilization about the condition of youth, valuing the proposals of the institutions, following the ongoing formation of the professionals involved in the education of the most vulnerable and  developing net-work and team-work

The participants were divided into four groups, each with a different  topic: working children and young workers; drug taking and traffic; immigration and family; youth violence. After the work, some practical commitments were undertaken, with the aim of making a strategic plan of the sector in the Province of Central America (CAM)

This was the first of six progamming meetings which will be held in the different countries which make up the Province, adapting each meeting to the local needs. A Provincial team composed of a representative from each country  of CAM helps Fr. Figueroa in his work.

The starting point of the Salesian Congregation is the Gospel conviction of option for the young, and for the poorest among the young.  In this conviction of the educative heritage of Don Bosco, the work devoted to the preferential option makes visible that commitment to the most disadvantaged, which is proper to the Salesian Charism.

Published 16/05/2012