By Victoria Figueroa
In August 2024, I was privileged to represent our province at the first Salesian Youth Synod hosted in Turin, Italy. I was invited, alongside Raul Salazar, a young adult from San Luis Rey in Laredo, Texas, by Fr. Fabian Cardenas. The entire experience was filled with excitement, spirit, and eagerness to learn more about the Salesian Charism. It was such an eye-opening and unifying experience for me. It brought clarity to who I am as a Salesian and brought me closer to the missionary spirit.
Salesian Family Around the World
When entering the gates of Valdocco, I was met with kindness, openness, and a familial spirit. At every turn, from the welcoming table to the administration team to the dining hall, you can see that our Salesian Family is unified and energetic. I was able to meet young Salesians from all over the world. Even though, geographically, we are spread so wide, there was one thing that unified us all. It was our dedication to the salesian mission and the care for young people around the world. I was able to make friendships and connections that will last a lifetime, friendships that are rooted in Christ and in the Salesian mission.
I have the privilege of being bilingual. I was placed in the Spanish group, where I met some of the most amazing and dedicated individuals. I am of Latin blood and first generation born in the United States; thank you to all the representatives from Latin America who showed me love and offered me friendship. It was a blessing to feel connected to my Mexican ancestry and part of the culture. Furthermore, being in the Spanish group was eye-opening. I am excited to bring back everything I learned from my Salesian family from Latin America to our province. They truly understand and put into practice our Salesian spirituality. Their approach to the Salesian Youth Movement is inspiring and something I hope to be able to align with here in our province as the SYM Coordinator.
Instrumentum Laboris
The objective and goal of the Synod was to create a document that represents and tells the dreams of young people from around the world. The participants were broken into language groups, each language creating approximately 8-10 small groups (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian). I hope that my sharing brought perspective to the realities of young people in the USA West. The document reflected the dreams of young people in regard to themselves, their families, society, and their dreams for the Salesian Youth Movement. There was one thing that was universal, no matter the country or the language, it was that young people seek to be protagonists and have opportunities to speak their desires. At the conclusion of the Synod and youth voting, the Instrumentum Laboris was completed and passed. Young Adults from all over the world were being taken seriously at a congregational level and were given the opportunity to share space with those in power. I feel proud to be part of the first-ever Synod, and I know that each young person who took part in the Synod will go back to their country inspired, as will I.
Vocational Call
Earlier this year, I took the step to begin formation to become a Salesian Cooperator. The Synod has strengthened my vocational call and brought certainty to the commitment I will make as an aspiring Cooperator. In Valdocco, when St John Bosco’s hat, gloves, and coat came to my view, I was enveloped with such an intense feeling that St John Bosco was in the room with us. At that moment, looking and gauging the reactions of those in the room with me, I felt proud to be a Salesian, and my heart was filled with happiness. I want to spend my entire life aligned with our charism. Visiting Colle Don Bosco and meeting Mama Margherita in her own home warmed my heart; after all, she was the first Cooperator. Her nurturing aura was felt in that home, even after all these years. We were able to be present for the official inauguration of the Field of Dreams, the place where the dream of nine years old took place. As I looked out upon the open grass and over the hills, I am sure this is my vocational call. For all these years, I have been a Cooperator and partner in the mission (through summer camps, oratory, and leadership conferences), but I am looking forward to officially making the Promise and dedicating my life to Don Bosco’s mission.
My dream for the province, returning from the Salesian Youth Synod, is to grow the Salesian Youth Movement and to uplift young people to be protagonists in the province.