Panama – Panama 2019: preparations under way for the grand SYM gathering at the “Valdocco of the Americas”

16 January 2019

(ANS – Panama City) – The various areas of the Don Bosco Technical Institute have become the focus of much excitement: it is like a human beehive. Each in his or her own way is preparing to welcome more than 800 Salesian pilgrims getting ready to experience World Youth Day 2019.

The school will be hosting delegations from the Salesians and Salesian Sisters from Central America, Mexico-Guadalajara, Colombia and Bolivia. Young people from Uruguay, Ecuador, Great Britain, Mexico-Mexico and Angola will be hosted in the days leading up to the beginning of the Day.

Around 300 people are at work, in seven commissions, preparing for the World Salesian Youth Movement celebrations (SYM) which will take place on Wednesday 23 January. Three thousand pilgrims are expected at this event which will take on the atmosphere of a genuine oratory, with music, colour, cheerfulness and reflection, and a special meeting with the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Mother General of the Salesian Sisters, Mother Yvonne Reungoat.

Young Salesians in formation from the post-novitiate, students of theology and students from the Regional Formation Centre for Salesian Brothers (CRESCO) are helping with the preparation of the logistics at the SYM event and the Salesian Family Pavilion at the vocations fair which will remain open and available to young people from around the world throughout the WYD week.

This is an important display area, representing all Congregations who wish to offer an invitation to the young pilgrims. The Salesian Family Pavilion will have Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of the Divine Saviour, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators and Volunteers With Don Bosco available at all times.

On the morning of 23 January, those responsible for the Salesian Youth Movement will meet in the Don Bosco Basilica, an authentic Centre of  Salesian Spirituality, the “Valdocco of the Americas”. 170 youth and religious leading Youth Ministry activities in their countries will meet here. In an eminently Salesian atmosphere, they will be able to share in the “SYM Forum”, and thus experience a time of encounter and reflection with Fr Á.F. Artime and Mother Reungoat, who will offer topics of interest to young people today.

For those who cannot be physically present at these events, there are still many options for experiencing them. The Salesians in Central America will offer live coverage on their official channels: www.boletinsalesiano.info and Salesianos CS CAM, on YouTube.

All SYM pilgrims are also invited to download the app of the Central American Salesian Bulletin before they leave (“Kiosko BS” on the Android platform, “Boletin Salesiano CAM” on the Apple Store), where they can already find and download the text for the SYM festivities vigil.

All the information will also be available on ANS and SDB.

Official SYM site 

Official SYM Feast site

InfoANS

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