By Marisol Becerra, Youth Ministry Assistant

From June 7 to June 14, 2025, the Salesian Youth Leadership Conference (SYLC) brought together over 130 youth from more than 15 Salesian communities across the western United States for a transformative week of faith, formation, and fellowship. The conference was led by the executive team, which included: Fr. Fabian Cardenas (SYLC Director), Gina Robles (Conference Coordinator), Dcn. Damien Ho (Program Coordinator) and Adrian Fulay (Curriculum Coordinator). A heartfelt thank you goes out to both the youth and adult spirit teams, FMA’s, SDB’s, novices, chaperones, Salesian Cooperators, cooks, volunteers, and all others who provided support to make SYLC a success.

Held under the theme “Anchor Your Heart, Chart the Course,” inspired by the 2025 Salesian Strenna and rooted in the components of Salesian Youth Spirituality, this year’s conference offered a powerful and authentic encounter with the heart of Don Bosco’s oratory. Each day was framed by moments of prayer through traditional Salesian “Good Mornings” given by the youth spirit team, and “Good Nights,” given by SDBs such as Bro. Tom Dion, Bro. Al Vu, Salesian Cooperator, Judy Alvarez, and FMA, Sr. Jackie Sardina. A highlight was the joyful celebration of Pentecost Sunday, as the conference began, where the Holy Spirit was invoked over these young leaders and was animated through various cultural lenses. Evenings were filled with different spiritual components, including prayer experiences based on “El Camino Salesiano,” Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and a rosary procession that honored devotion to Mary, Help of Christians.

The conference was concluded with a moving commissioning liturgy celebrating 40 years of SYLC, honoring the legacy of leadership rooted in joy and service. This liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Mel Trinidad (Provincial) and many visiting SDBs. There were also visiting FMAs in attendance, and past SYLC participants and families who have supported SYLC over the years. Honorees of the SYLC Legacy award included Fr. Joe Boenzi, SDB,  the founder of SYLC, and Bro. Al Vu, SDB, for over 30 years of exceptional service and dedication to Salesian Youth Ministry. The Good Shepherd Award honorees also included Ms. Uyen Nguyen (St. Anthony’s Church) and Mr. Luis Chacon (Boyle Heights Community) for their impactful commitment, service, and mentorship toward young people in the province. Each SYLC participant was also commissioned as a Salesian leader by their respective youth ministry coordinators or chaperones.

The week’s learning sessions were interactive, designed not only to teach but to ignite Salesian leadership. Participants explored the pastoral cycle, integral ecology, and community pastoral planning, learning to judge the signs of the times through the lens of Don Bosco, the Gospel, and their own experience. Catholic Social Teaching was animated by the Chispa committee, as youth explored human dignity, solidarity, and the common good, all while connecting these principles to their own lived experiences and communities. Each young leader was also encouraged to reflect deeply on their vocation through sessions on adopting a Salesian mindset and developing a personal plan of life.

In true Salesian fashion, the conference was also filled with joy and community-building recreation. From the Salesian Copa, scavenger hunts, beach day bonfire, the talent show, and the laughter shared during skits, and the farewell karaoke night. These moments reflected the Salesian belief that joy is a path to holiness. These experiences reminded everyone that leadership and fun are not opposites—they are partners in building an authentic Christian community.

At the heart of the week was a call to mission. Participants were invited to live the rhythm of Salesian life, to affirm their gifts, and to discern how God is calling them to serve in their communities, the Church, and the world. They were trained to animate with the heart of Don Bosco, to accompany the vulnerable and excluded, to proclaim the Gospel through their lives, and to transform their communities by building a culture of encounter. Rooted in Salesian spirituality, these leaders were empowered to become “good Christians and honest citizens,” walking in the footsteps of Don Bosco, and standing in kinship with those on the margins. 

The 2025 Salesian Youth Leadership Conference was not simply an event—it was a movement. A Salesian youth movement of young people who are choosing to anchor their hearts in Christ and courageously chart a course toward a future built on justice, love, and joyful discipleship. 

The Salesian communities at SYLC:

St. John Bosco High School – Bellflower, CA

St. Dominic Savio Church – Bellflower, CA

Bosco Tech – Rosemead, CA

St. Bridget’s Chinese Church – Los Angeles, CA

Bishop Mora Salesian High School – Los Angeles, CA

St. Mary’s Church – Boyle Heights, CA

Santa Isabel Church – Boyle Heights, CA

Salesian Family Youth Center – Boyle Heights, CA

St. Anthony’s Youth Group – Oakland, CA (Spirit Team)

St. Francis High School – Watsonville, CA

Our Lady Mary Help of Christians Church – Watsonville, CA

Corpus Christi Church – San Francisco, CA

Salesian College Preparatory – Richmond, CA

Mary Help of Christians Center – Stockton, CA

St. Luke’s Church – Stockton, CA

San Luis Rey Church – Laredo, TX