Mostazal (Chile). From 30 October to 3 November 2024, at the Hacienda Picarquín, in San Francisco de Mostazal, O’Higgins Region, Chile, 2,260 adolescents, young people, and adults from all the Educative Communities of the Provinces of St. Gabriel Archangelo (CIL) of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesians of Don Bosco, lived the experience of #CAMPOBOSCO2024, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Youth Movement (MSJ), born in Chile in 1974.
This great celebration, which celebrates the past and announces the future with hope, was organized by more than 100 young people, adults, SDB, and FMA gathered in different working committees, to which delegations from Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Colombia joined.
Despite the great heat of the first day, the joy and energy of the young people did not fade away and they lived an intense opening day, characterized by formation meetings, more than 50 workshops, prayer moments, and a colorful Oratorian afternoon rich with dances and recreational games.
In the evening, the Provincial of Chile, Father Nelson Moreno, addressed them as follows, “We are one of the largest youth movements in Chile and our society needs committed young people who live great dreams. Chile needs the Salesians and you, that this spirit may continue to live.”
The FMA Provincial, Sister Ximena Oyarzo Mansilla was also present and said, “I am very happy to be here tonight to experience this historic moment. The Salesian Youth Movement was born here in Chile and it is a way of living as a Salesian Family in the world, with different expressions. I invite you to continue dreaming and being creative, to reach many people as a group of young people did 50 years ago.”
Sister Herlinda Palomino, from Rome brought greetings of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the FMA Institute, and from the Councilor for Youth Pastoral, Sister Runita Borja, “Mother Chiara invites you to continue with great hope. She has a lot of confidence in the young people of Chile and thinks that, as 50 years ago when SYM was born, on this 50th youth can be a very big answer for the whole world.”
A single movement
The second day began with a moment of prayer that called on young people to be living witnesses of their faith. The first video of the series, “The dream that makes you dream” was presented, a work jointly realized by the Salesians, the FMA, and the Caetera Tolle Multimedia Center, to deepen the dream of Don Bosco at the age nine, which marked his life and mission.
The commitment given consisted in reflecting on the word “MOVEMENT”, on the letter “M”, considering the SYM and its various associative groups as a single movement united by Salesian spirituality.
At the end of the afternoon, each age group experienced the Eucharist, celebrated simultaneously. In the final moment of the day, a recognition was given to the first generation of camp animators from Villa Feliz, held in 1974, genesis of MJS in Chile.
Centered on Jesus
On the third day, focused on the letter “J”, we deepened the youthful character of the SYM, starting from friendship with Jesus, center of life. The young people gathered at “Valdocco”, the main stage, to start the day with prayer. The second video of “The dream that makes you dream” was presented, to continue the reflection on the dream at nine years of age.
Games, music, and dances occupied the afternoon, creating a real oratory. A valuable space was the ministry of listening, curated by FMA and SDB and animated by the vocation pastoral of both Congregations, where young people also had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharistic Celebration was followed by geographical areas.
This third day was marked by the meeting of thousands of young people from SYM with Jesus in the Eucharist, in a strong moment of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament centered on the biblical text of being salt and light. The evening ended with prayer and the Salesian festival “Mainbo Fest”.
Sent to live holiness!
After four days of intense prayer, formation and fun, Campobosco ended in a festive spirit. The reflection of the day was focused on the letter “S” of Salesian, which called young people to recognize themselves as heirs of Don Bosco’s dream, the dream of God that became present in the SYM and in each of the youth who animate the Movement.
In the afternoon after the workshops, there was a real party to beat the heat: inflatable games, water games, and the visit of the fire brigade. The Eucharist was then celebrated by the groups of the association.
The day ended with the Good Night and the Final Party. The Provincial, Fr. Nelson Moreno and the Provincial, Sister Ximena Oyarzo, the Youth Ministry Delegates, Father David Rivera and Sister Karen Vivanco, invited the young people to make a commitment. They asked, “Do you commit to live in holiness every day? Do you commit to always be joyful?” The young people responded in unison with a strong “Yes!”
Blessing the participants, who return home with everything they have experienced in this historic experience, he said, “Our local works need you. Be light in each of them.”
Celebrate what you have experienced
On the last day, before the departure of all delegations, the Eucharist was celebrated together, thanking God for the experience of communion lived as SYM. A beautiful surprise was the greeting video of Sister Runita Borja, Councilor for Youth Ministry of the FMA Institute.
The morning was a special time of gratitude to those who supported this initiative: the Chilean Red Cross, the Association for Safety in Chile (ACHS), the participating communities and delegations, SDB and FMA coordinators of YM, Sister Herlinda Palomino, the Provincial, Sister Ximena, and the Provincial, Father Nelson, who supported in a special way the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Youth Movement.
Source: Salesian Bulletin Chile – Daughters of Mary Help of Christians CIL – Multimedia Center Caetera Tolle
Photos Flickr Boletin Salesiano Chile
Video Comunicaciones Salesianos Chile
