(ANS – Rome) – From Friday, January 10, to Saturday, January 11, the Salesian Youth Ministry Assembly was held at the Salesian National Center, with the presence of the Councilor for the Mediterranean Region, Fr. Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, in his role as President of the Conference of Salesian Provinces of Italy (CISI).

In addition to the Provincials and Youth Ministry Delegates, the Presidents of the National Associations (Socio-Cultural Youth Clubs, Youth and Social Tourism, Salesian Cooperators, and Past Pupils) and representatives of the National Offices were also in attendance, together with the Council of the Educative and Pastoral Community of the National Center. On Saturday morning, several editors of the magazines Note di Pastorale Giovanile and Rassegna CNOS also took part.

The inspiration for holding the meeting in this format came from a passage from the National Center that highlights the need to “promote a culture of planning, overcoming fragmentation and a sector-based approach in order to develop unified thinking, rooted in the charism and open to contemporary challenges.”

Guided by a reflection on the guidelines for youth ministry offered by Fr. Rossano Sala, participants engaged in a moment of reflection and dialogue in thematic groups, beginning with the biblical text of Solomon’s dream: “Give your servant a discerning heart, so that he may govern your people and distinguish between good and evil.”

Fr. Sala outlined four key guidelines for youth ministry today: synodal, popular, vocational, and missionary. Building on this reflection, participants—divided into thematic groups—discerned and shared their insights with the help of a worksheet and then presented their reflections to the assembly.

The meeting continued with a session reserved for the Provincials alone for the CISI Presidency meeting, which concluded on Monday, January 12.