Por Judy Álvarez, SC
(Los Angeles, California) – This year, I had the opportunity to return to the annual Salesian Youth Leadership Conference to celebrate with the community the 40th anniversary of its founding. Unable to attend the anniversary mass on Friday, I instead visited on Thursday, which allowed me to witness the young people involved in this empowering experience of Salesian leadership and youth spirituality.
The spiritual focus of the day was “Serving like Mary.” The Good Morning, led by a young man from the Spirit Team, set the tone by demonstrating the importance of serving beyond one’s comfort zone through simple “acts of humanity.” He invited participants to find opportunities that day to offer gestures of welcome, recognition, respect, and service to one another and the community. His insights were born of faith and the transformation he had experienced when moving beyond his comfort zone.
In a later conversation, I discovered even more of his depth. His “acts of humanity” grounded him humbly in the present moment, and he aspired someday to help people with disabilities. I had a young Salesian in front of me who already served like Mary.
I was asked to give a Good Night on the same theme that evening. My immediate idea was to consider our devotion to Mary Help of Christians. How did she serve? Her prayerful interventions in the life of Christians related to critical times when invaders threatened Europe. I was struck by how our devotion to Mary Help of Christians was rooted in times of turmoil. I also understood that many of the SYLC youth were worried by news of what was going on in Los Angeles and the world. I needed to reassure this community that Mary Help of Christians is there for them.
Turning to the scriptures, I reflected on three ways that Mary served:
Mary serves by loving God with all her heart. She proclaimed the greatness of the Lord when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant in her old age. She did not serve for her glory but to give glory to God.
Countless “acts of humanity” make SYLC possible every year. Numerous hours of preparation by youth and adult leaders go unnoticed; the program itself is made possible by people in the background: the cooks preparing three meals for 130 people every day, the Salesians religious and youth team setting up environment and resources for every activity; adult leaders accompanying youth throughout the oratory – listening to their ideas, stories, and dreams and nurturing their leadership skills. Humble leaders like Mary are needed to make SYLC possible and to model what it means to serve like Mary.
Mary serves by being attentive to others’ needs. The scriptures tell us that Mary “hastened” to the hill country to care for her elder cousin, Elizabeth. At the wedding feast of Cana, Mary saw that the couple was running out of wine for their guests, and she acted to protect them from shame. Mary went to Jesus and served as an advocate. She did what she could and then hoped in the Lord.
A key learning at SYLC is to work collaboratively in responding to the needs of the young people in each Salesian work, be it a parish, school, summer camp, or youth center. I had the privilege of sitting with the Corpus Christi youth and adult leaders as they discussed what they would do to advocate for the needs of the youth in their parish. They were realistic, creative, enthusiastic, and generous in their discussion and planning. The parish adult and Spirit Team leader listened and encouraged them to act on their dreams.
Attempting to meet the needs of others is never easy and can be overwhelming for a young person; hence, I turned the good night to the Dream of Don Bosco at Age 9. Young Bosco was also confused and did not know how to do what seemed impossible, but Jesus assured him of a teacher and guide to show him the way – Mary, His Mother and ours. What better way to serve like Mary if Mary can guide you? The accompaniment of Mary Help of Christians is assured to all those involved in the Salesian mission with, by, and for young people, especially those most in need.
In closing, I wanted to draw these young leaders near to Mary’s heart, so I shared a prayer that my mother once taught me…
“Mother Mary, keep my mind ever patient, pure, and kind.
Banish every evil thought and guard this soul so dearly bought by the blood of thy sweet Son.
And when each day’s fight is won, let me dream in peaceful rest, like a child upon your breast.”
I don’t know where my mother learned this prayer, nor can I find it online. However, we cannot give or serve like Mary if we do not understand how she longs to care for us. We can’t give what we do not have. Hopefully, our Salesian youth leaders will allow Mary to take them by the hand.
María Auxiliadora, ruega por nosotros.
