YOUTH CENTRES: A FACE OF DON BOSCO

It was on Sunday morning, I happened to meet great Fr Snigi Lingdo who is working tirelessly as confessor and writing Biblical commentaries in Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. Obviously, the chat was all about Salesian Mission in North East India. He said ‘Salesians transformed North East India, and he commented that when it comes to Youth Centers, there is still a room for improvement in North East India. This made me to think about the purpose of Don Bosco for opening youth centers and apostolic schools.  

While talking to Fr Snigi, I thought about the Salesian work and the mission in South India and India at large. It is very enlightening why Don Bosco did not open boarding and schools at first. Instead he opened the Youth Centres and Oratories. As a result Voldcco was one of the effective places of all his initiatives for young people of his times. And all of us know what it means to be having a Voldocco Experience; just like having an experience joy like a child in its mother’s arms.

Therefore, the need of Salesian India today is to return to the call of Don Bosco for Youth Movements, Youth Centres and Apostolic Schools. All these centers are meant to make the young people as the object of our Mission. Therefore, Don Bosco had foreseen the young who would live in midst of both good and evil. And therefore our task is to set them free from such dangers and thus win their soul for God in our Youth Centers and Youth Groups and Movements.

I had the privilege of visiting few youth centers and apostolic schools, like, Aluvwa, Vennela, Mathunga and BIRDY where young people are made comfortable and accepted despite and in spite of all that they are and all that they are not. These youth centers are very active and vibrant serving the young people even today. Thus the Salesians are productive and effective. I can happily say that these places are just like the place of Voldocco where thousands of young people throb into for new friendships and meaningfulness in their life. That is exactly what Voldocco meant for them. Thus every salesian community become a home, a play ground and a church where the young people find true freedom of expression. If so all our communities begin to produce saints like Dominic Savio and Michael Magone. My only wish and prayer during this Bicentenary Birth of our Founder is that by his powerful intercession all of us think twice about our Commitment to save the souls.

The challenge today is, how far are we capable, productive, faithful and successful with our Salesian work? I feel we somehow have reached a stage where the youth work became a challenge and a dream come true. I wish I am wrong making this premise. But we cannot ignore the fact.

Few Questions to Reflect...

1. In my presence do young people feel comfortable to have Voldcco Experience?

2. Do our Institutions make a ripple effect in the lives of the young people or are we just functioning like NGOs.

3. Am I a key in my community to welcome and enter into the Heart of the young.