(ANS – Rome) – The formation program of the School for Provincial Youth Ministry Delegates continues at the Salesian Headquarters in Rome. From May 28–31, 2026, participants engaged in an intensive program of theological reflection, pastoral study, and fraternal sharing.

Thursday, May 28, was led by Fr. Rossano Sala, who offered two reflections on the second chapter of the Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference (SYMFR). The first, entitled “Evangelization Today: Christological and Ecclesiological Criteria,” proposed a reinterpretation of the Church’s mission in light of a synodal perspective.

At the heart of his presentation was the journey to Emmaus as a permanent paradigm for youth ministry: a journey that moves from listening to proclamation and then to mission. In this perspective, the encounter with the Risen Christ transforms disappointment into hope and becomes a model for educational and spiritual accompaniment. This journey illuminates the vocational path of young people and stands as a fundamental reference point for the Salesian charism and for the life of the Church.

The second reflection, building on the first, explored the theme “From Christ the Evangelizer to the Church as Evangelizer,” highlighting the Christian community’s responsibility to continue Jesus’ mission. Evangelization thus emerges not merely as the transmission of content but as a living encounter that generates communion and spiritual renewal.

On Friday, May 29, Fr. Paweł Wątor spoke on the challenge of evangelization in a digitalized world. His reflection highlighted how the digital revolution is profoundly transforming the ways we communicate, work, and relate to one another, thereby affecting the Church’s evangelizing mission as well.

By placing the digital phenomenon within the broader context of contemporary cultural transformations, he emphasized that pastoral ministry is now called to engage an environment shaped by interactive technologies, artificial intelligence, and global connectivity. In this context, communicating the faith requires new languages and methods capable of adapting to change without losing authenticity or depth.

The morning of Saturday, May 30, was devoted to a deeper examination of the SYMFR and the presentation of the Rector Major’s Six-Year Plan. Fr. Rafael Bejarano, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, presented the key priorities outlined in the documents, highlighting their value as a guide for pastoral animation in the various provinces.

Faced with a creative and resilient generation of young people, the Salesians are also confronted with profound challenges linked to poverty, migration, violence, and the climate crisis. Pastoral commitment therefore takes the form of educational presence, accompaniment, and the creation of concrete opportunities for young people.

In the second part of the morning, Fr. Joebeth Vivo guided participants through a synthesis of the journey undertaken, offering criteria and tools to revisit the material in a coherent and integrated way. During this session, a practical resource was presented to help delegates connect and explore the fundamental concepts of Salesian youth ministry based on the QRPGS.

As Fr. Vivo emphasized, “To synthesize means learning to connect what we experience, think, and share in order to transform it into concrete guidelines for the mission.” From this perspective, synthesis becomes an exercise in integrating experience, reflection, and planning, aimed at building a coherent and meaningful vision of educational and pastoral service.

On Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday, participants visited the Don Bosco House Museum at the Salesian Generalate and explored the city of Rome from a Salesian perspective, retracing the places visited by Don Bosco during his stays in the capital. These experiences, combined with opportunities for fraternal sharing and rest, helped strengthen the spirit of communion and foster a deeper sense of community with the Salesians serving at the Generalate.

In this atmosphere of fraternity and reflection, the delegates are preparing to begin the second week of formation with renewed enthusiasm.