(ANS – Rome) – On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s Childhood Dream, the Youth Ministry Sector is promoting the Salesian Youth Synod 2024 from August 11 to 16 at Colle Don Bosco in Castelnuovo Don Bosco.

Currently, the preparatory phase of listening and dialogue has been completed in each Province, and the contributions have been sent to the pre-synodal commission for drafting the working document (Instrumentum Laboris). This committee comprises Fr Joebeth Vivo, SDB, Fr Ama-Edi Didier Meba Somiebalo, SDB, Dr. Antonella Sinagoga, Bro. Manoel Messias da Silva, SDB, Fr Xabier Camino, SDB, Fr Patrick, SDB, and Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski, SDB. Fr Francisco Cervantes and Sister Luz Aurora García Juárez are responsible for summarising the work of the provincial youth ministry teams.

Similarly, the process of collecting more than 200 dreams of young people from all over the world for a “Coffee Table Book” (illustrated book) was completed. Among other dreams, young people have expressed some such as to be really listened to and understood in their way of seeing the world and moving in it; to experience a close God, truly embodied and alive in human situations; to feel accepted by the Church and by the Salesian presences as they are, without having to be stereotyped; to know their vocation, the ways to discover it and their faith in what is essential; for there to be adults as a point of reference who are passionate, clear, determined with their own lives and who can be guided in their process; to appreciate the context in which they live through concrete activities.

A central group or Central Commission for the Synod has been created, made up of 14 young people from all over the world who are already working on the organization of the Synod with the Youth Ministry Sector central team. They are Santiago Roda Cano, Wendy Mikaela Ponce, María Belén Gisbert, João Pedro Maximiano, Faddyl Fabrice Yadolo, Danwell Phoues, Marta Radic, Pablo Osorio Delgado, Kasia Grabek, Kyle Portelli, Teaghan Dolan, Jennifer Lie, Leander Pereira and Noah Rodrigues. The Salesian Cagliari Choir will be involved in animating things musically.

The team also selected the official hymn for the Synod: “In the shape of your dream” (author: Emanuele Geraci, with the “DB Sons”). Musicians in the Congregation were invited to compose an official Hymn. In addition to the winner, the following people participated by presenting anthems inspired by the theme: Belarmino Sànchez, Fabio Diaz, Fernando Gutierrez, Gilberto Driussi, Jose Miguel Ramirez, Juan Javier Bernal Garcia, and Sergio Petrarca. The titles presented are “El sueño que hace soñar”, “Il tuo sogno”, “Dear John”, “Sueña”, “Celebramos tu sueño”, “un sogno da niño” and “Between your hands”

Issues related to participant registration forms, visa application form, accommodation, transportation, translation services, meals, and materials are being processed.

March 25, 2024, is the deadline for all participants to register.