Brazil - 25th anniversary of AJS (SYM) instills "passion for life and for the Lord of life" in Porto Alegre youth

30 May 2023

(ANS - Porto Alegre) - General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende, made a pastoral visit to the "St. Pius X" Province of Porto Alegre, Brazil. From May 25-30, he met with the leadership group of the "Colégio Dom Bosco" and the "Facultade Don Bosco." With the former, he shared some reflections on the meaning of vocational culture, that is, a way of conceiving and facing life as a gift freely received from God for a project or mission, Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende pointed out. He also met with the Faculty's pastoral team. At the conclusion of these meetings, he celebrated the Eucharist with the educators and Salesians present in Porto Alegre.

He held a formation session with the administration team and educators of the social work in the city of Viamao. In the presence also of the Salesians housed in the "House of Health," which houses elderly or sick Salesians, he presented the characteristics of the oratorian criterion today and celebrated the Eucharist with everyone.

He then met with the Provincial Commission of Youth Ministry, sharing a reflection on Salesian pastoral accompaniment in educational works. This is a tool included in the set of formative activities and offerings in education and evangelization, acting at different levels and settings. Pastoral accompaniment is born within rich interpersonal relationships and in an environment where daily life is lived realistically. It is in this atmosphere of trust and healthy interpersonal relationships and in the presence of God that the pastoral worker must initiate the young person into spiritual discernment.

The weekend of 27-28 saw the 25th-anniversary congress of AJS (Articulação Juvenil Salesiana - the Salesian Youth Movement in Brazil), which was attended by 300 young people from all houses. The meeting was a response to the new challenges, sensitivities, and religious demands of the youth of the province. It was also a true community and festive experience: Salesian youth spirituality was expressed in multiple elements - formative, celebratory, and testimonial. The recipients were especially the young leaders of the houses.

AJS was consolidated; it is now well-defined and structured, thus facilitating the organization and better attention and incorporation of other youth. The "heart" of the AJS are the animators who animate and promote it in each local work.

The General Councilor began the meeting with a formative moment focused on identifying spiritual and ethical keys ("power skills") for the development of the spiritual life of young believers today. At the end of the Congress, he presided over the Eucharist on the Solemnity of Pentecost. Fr. García Morcuende then urged the young people to keep a grateful memory of this time of grace of 25 years of AJS; and lastly, he also reminded them not to lose in their daily lives the gentle exhortations, comfort, peace, and strength that come from the Holy Spirit.

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