By: Sr. Sydney Moss, FMA
Salesian Sisters USA West

Easter was a little difficult for people to celebrate this year without the possibility of participating in the most beautiful liturgical celebrations of the year during the Easter Triduum.  For this reason, the Youth Ministry Office partnered up with the Salesian Sisters in the Western Province and the Youth Ministry Office in New York to offer an online retreat for our Salesian Family in the United States.  Retreatants participated in online discussions each day of the Triduum and on Easter Sunday using Zoom.  There was a separate Zoom chat for adolescents, one for young adults, and one for our “older” adults.  Participants watched a pre-recorded video from a different keynote speaker each day and then came together during the Zoom chats to discuss them.  The topics focused on how we encounter Christ through the lens of each day of the Triduum – on Holy Thursday through the Eucharist, on Good Friday through Mary standing at the foot of the cross, on Holy Saturday through St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello who exemplify the hope we must have during times of uncertainty and suffering, and on Easter Sunday through the Church.

The website created for the event (https://salesianeastertriduum.org/) also provided resources for families to do with their children, an explanation of what we celebrate each day of the Triduum, and links to watch the liturgies that several of our Salesian communities broadcasted.  The retreat was a beautiful way to come together not just as a Salesian Family to celebrate the Easter mysteries, but also as the Church.  We thank God for the gift of technology which allows us to experience community during this time of isolation!