The two Salesian Provinces of the country, Spain-St James the Greater (SSM) and Spain-Mary Help of Christians (SMX) have organized these Easter meetings in recent months, which will take place from 1st (Holy Thursday) to 4th April (Easter Sunday). And the Salesian houses are now focusing on the so-called "urban Easter", the celebrations within the centers themselves, without moving away, and involving, in addition to the youth groups, also the families of the children, their educators and the members of the Salesian Family.
Already during Lent, the Salesian centers have developed various initiatives to prepare for Easter. Retreats were held for educators and youth leaders, special celebrations for children, adolescents and young people, days of coexistence in schools and youth centers, spiritual exercises for religious….
For the SSM Province, the invitation for this 2021, adapted to current limits, is a local, flexible and versatile proposal. "We are convinced that this invitation is an opportunity to call the entire educative-pastoral community of Salesian works around the local celebration of Easter. In fact, the animation and experience of the Easter Triduum was planned for each work, calling together all the pastoral environments of each house, as well as the groups of the Salesian Family," explains Fr Xabier Camino, Delegate for Youth Ministry of SSM. And, as in previous years, the goal is to promote the integration of young people in the celebrations of their parish communities.
In line with the pastoral campaign of the year, the SSM Province proposed "Hope gushes out" as the Easter motto. “We hope that this initiative will help us to continue to be pastorally creative in this different time that we want to live with Christian hope”, concludes Fr Camino. Thus, reflection materials were prepared for groups divided into three age groups (17 to 20, 21 to 25, and 25 and up), as well as prayer proposals, motivational videos and group reflections.
In the SMX Province, the motto chosen for this year is "We are one", in line with the pastoral campaign of the last two years. “The celebration of Easter is an invitation to unite with Jesus in His way of giving Himself totally, which leads us to the fullness of life. And it is by uniting with Him that we build the Christian community in which 'We are one'. This year we hope it will be an opportunity to build together this community which, united with Jesus, is a witness of the Resurrection,” explains the Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Fr Jordi Lleixà.
