Throughout this time there have been thousands of stories of pain, but also of overcoming oneself and peace, despite adversity. One of these is the story of José, a sports instructor, a young man who worked and studied. For this reason the Salesians often presented him to children as a model of life in youth centers. José passed his last university exam in June last year and in September he was due to graduate.
His parents were elderly and sick, but they had instilled in him a great sense of responsibility and he was always there to assist all those who needed him. He was the eldest son and the only male in the family.
The only time that José devoted to himself was the time he spent with his girlfriend. They had been together for five years and had set the wedding date for September 24th. It would have been a simple marriage because the war doesn't allow for more, but it didn't matter, because no war can stop love.
José was a support for everyone as a brother, a boyfriend, an exemplary son, a true friend of and to all. But, unfortunately, it is necessary to say "was" because on 5 September last, a few weeks after graduation and just 19 days before the wedding, a missile that fell on a bus stole his life away and suddenly canceled the dreams of everyone who depended on him.
It was really hard for the Salesians to meet with his sisters and parents, nor did they know how to console his girlfriend. It was also very difficult to comfort the children in the oratory and youth center. Some of them asked themselves: "What sense is there to study, what sense is there to make an effort to learn to work, what is the point of being good and generous, what is the meaning of faith? Those you who have brought to us as examples have demonstrated to us that it is useless ... "
Source: www.misionessalesianas.org
