Hajja Salesjana - September October 2016

Mid-djarju tal-vja©©i ta’ Fr. Fabio Attard SDB ... Poland - WYD 2016 SYM Forum (ANS) 1 1 (ANS - Krakow) - The Festival of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) began on the 27th July. It was part of the cycle of events that accompanied World Youth Day 2016. Young people from around the world had conquered the city of Krakow, and the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement had filled the EXPO Fair in the same city. The morning had been dedicated to reflection on mercy in the lives of young people. The SYM Forumwas attended by representatives of Salesian provinces from 41 countries. They were all welcomed by Fr. Fabio Attard, Councillor General of the Salesians for Youth Ministry, and by Sister Runita Borja, Councillor of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for Youth Ministry. After the screening of a film about the link between Don Bosco and Divine Mercy, work in the various language groups begun. The young people reflected on the challenges that the world puts before them in doing the works of mercy and the benefit they gain from this. They also had the task of drawing up the SYM message to the world, which was then announced on Sunday, 31st July and was delivered to Pope Francis. The second part of the morning was then devoted to the dialogue of young people with Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, and Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General of the FMA. Young people from Slovenia, Angola, Venezuela and Mexico asked them how they can live and share mercy with others in these difficult times, full of wars and violence, when the Christian anthropological vision of man is questioned, and what is the response of the Congregation. The Rector Major observed that the youth of the Salesian environments live in danger of being unable to change anything. The answer to all this is to be our unity, which is a source of strength. Mother General then emphasized that our task is to look at other people with empathy, as Pope Francis teaches us and thewhole Church, with due attention to the clear understanding of the person according to the divine plan. This part of the meeting ended with the celebration of the Eucharist. In his words to the assembly, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime pointed out that in the context of the Beatitudes, Jesus' name is Mercy. Recognizing and accepting Jesus as the Lord of our lives means that we have the right to live with hope. When we read the Beatitudes our lives can change. Fr. Fabio can be seen on the extreme left hand side of the photo in the front row Fr. Fabio with the small but vibrant Salesian Group from Malta attending WYD ‘16