Rome (Italy). At the beginning of May 2025, the vocational animation webinars “Together to promote a vocational culture” organized by the Youth Ministry Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians took place.
The webinars were held: on 3 May for the French and Portuguese-speaking Provinces; on 4 May for the English group from Africa, America, Europe, and Oceania; on 10 May in Italian; and concluded on 11 May, coinciding with the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, with sessions in English for Asia and in Spanish for the Spanish-speaking Provinces.
The event was characterized by a broad and enthusiastic participation, which brought together the FMA communities, young people, and members of the Educating Communities in a shared commitment to vocational accompaniment and renewal.
Each session began with a brief introduction by the General Councilor, Sister Runita Borja, and from a moment of prayer that created an atmosphere of reflection, followed by a message from the Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola. She emphasized that promoting a vocational culture is an essential dimension of our Salesian identity. With clarity and passion, she urged everyone to remain steadfast in the mission of accompanying young people, helping them to discover, discern, and embrace God’s plan for their lives.
The voice of 20 young women and men from five continents was heard. It was not just stories, but vivid testimonies of how the Salesian Charism has concretely shaped the vocational journey of many.
One after the other, in the different language groups, the young people shared how their involvement in the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), in the Educating Communities, and in the Schools of the Salesian realities has offered them life experiences of joy, service, and accompaniment that have been decisive in the discernment of various vocations.
What emerged strongly from these testimonies was the recurring theme of the presence, accompaniment, and joyful testimony of community life. The young people expressed how deeply they were touched not only by the words, but above all by the lives of those who accompanied them and by the healthy environment that was offered to them.
“Listening to these young voices was an experience of grace,” share the FMA organizers. “Their clarity, sincerity, and gratitude have also rekindled our vocational passion. Their testimonies not only touched hearts, but were deeply illuminating, offering us a glimpse of the transformative power of presence, accompaniment, and community witness. At the same time, they were also a challenge. Young people want Salesian Sisters who walk with them, believe in their potential, and create spaces of trust and listening. Their words reminded us that accompaniment is not an isolated event, but a continuous journey of relationship, presence, and faith.
Their testimonies were therefore not mere reflections, but true and proper calls to action. The young people want us to live with passion for Christ, that we keep alive today the dream of Don Bosco for the young. They ask for a joyful, empathetic, and coherent presence that accompanies them without judgment, listens to them, and helps them grow spiritually and discern their vocation. They want spaces for dialogue, concrete responsibilities, community experiences, and inspiration from the young saints. They ask for opportunities to serve, love, and give meaning to life in educative environments that teach them to discern and not just think.”
In the last part of each webinar, some good practices carried out by FMA communities and Educating Communities around the world, committed to promoting a vocational culture were presented.
These initiatives were presented through a series of videos, forming a symbolic chain of good practices from different Provinces, for a total of 39 videos. The webinar offered rich insights, a renewed enthusiasm, and an even stronger desire to give oneself generously in accompanying the young people on their vocational journey.
