(ANS – Rome) – El January 15, 2026, the Youth Ministry Sectors of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) began the new year with renewed enthusiasm and a shared commitment to young people, inspired by the profound love of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello for younger generations.

During the afternoon, the two sectors took part in a meaningful online meeting dedicated to listening to and reflecting on young people’s dreams for the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), while also identifying new pathways to strengthen and develop the Movement in today’s context.

The gathering was characterized by a dialogue-centered approach, placing the voices, hopes, and expectations of young people at the heart of the reflection, with particular attention to the present and future of the SYM. The meeting opened with a moment of prayer, invoking God’s presence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, followed by an introductory message from Fr. Rafael Bejarano, General Councilor for Salesian Youth Ministry, which set the tone for the discussions and sharing that followed.

At the heart of the reflection was the SDB–FMA Decalogue, which highlights the importance of collaboration as an essential condition for the effectiveness of the shared mission. Special emphasis was placed on young people’s dreams for the Salesian Youth Movement and on the need to strengthen Salesian Youth Spirituality as the Movement’s core value and unifying element.

The dreams expressed by young people emerged as both a challenge and an opportunity: a challenge that invites the Salesian Family to reexamine its educational and pastoral choices, and an opportunity that opens new paths of renewal, participation, and shared responsibility. Viewed in this light, the journey undertaken by the two sectors stands as a concrete expression of synodality—not merely as a working method, but as a way of being Church and living the Salesian spirit.

Through open dialogue and shared discernment, the SDB and FMA Youth Ministry Sectors initiated a joint search for strategic pathways to strengthen collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of pastoral action. The meeting reaffirmed a common desire to walk together, valuing the complementarity of charisms and fostering a Salesian Youth Movement that remains faithful to the dream of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, while staying ever closer to the real lives and aspirations of today’s young people.

The gathering concluded on a joyful and hopeful note with a final message from Sr. Runita Borja, General Councilor for FMA Youth Ministry. She reaffirmed the spirit of communion and the shared commitment to journey together with local and regional representatives in advancing the mission for young people. Drawing inspiration from Evangelii Gaudium, she emphasized the importance of working with young people, not merely for them, highlighting the call to accompany, listen to, and walk alongside youth in all pastoral initiatives.