Rome (Italy). On 6 February 2026, young people from the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Europe and the Middle East participated in the online meeting “Bridges of Hope.” The event served as a “digital sanctuary” where they shared testimonies of faith, the reality of living through the crisis, and the transformative impact of Salesian accompaniment.
This meeting was proposed by Sister Runita Borja, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, who asked the SYM Europe ‘Small Team’ to create a space for online dialogue. Sister Runita was inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey and Lebanon (November 27–December 2, 2025), during which she was struck by the courage and joy of the young people, despite the difficulties they were experiencing. Zaur, a member of the Small Team and moderator of the event, expressed his deep gratitude to Sister Runita for planting this seed.
A source of great inspiration for all the speakers was the Holy Father’s Address to young people in Bkerké, Lebanon, on 1 December. Participants recalled evocative images of youth as “young cedars of Lebanon,” a reminder that, although their roots are planted in scarred soil, their branches are destined to reach the heavens.
The Pope’s message challenged young people to be an “active resistance, not through violence, but through healing love.” For many, like Tatiana, who works at the oratory with refugee children, the Pope’s visit was a moment of healing, reassuring them that they should not feel forgotten by the world.
The dialogue also addressed the challenging operational realities of the Salesian mission. Fr. Joe Attila and Noura, one of the representatives of the Middle Eastern youth, illustrated the enormous pressure on educational centers, such as the Don Bosco Technical School in Al Fidar, Lebanon, which is struggling to provide scholarships amid the Lebanese financial crisis. The Salesians of Don Bosco currently serve hundreds of Iraqi and Syrian refugee children, providing education and psychosocial support even when formal certification is limited by political obstacles.
The “Bridges of Hope” encounter reminded us that solidarity is a mutual exchange of spiritual riches. While young Europeans face different challenges—such as mental health issues, and “material excess”—young Lebanese people suggested a simple solution: slow down and choose to connect.
As Father Rafael Bejarano, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, observed in his video message, “The Salesian Youth Movement is about fraternity and solidarity… we always have the opportunity to offer other young people this wonderful opportunity to create a better world for all.”
This event demonstrated that, both in the streets of Beirut and in the cities of Europe, the Salesian spirit remains a “leaven of peace,” transforming reality through presence, prayer, and persistent hope.
