Fatima (Portugal). On 5 September 2023, to prepare for the new scholastic and pastoral year, the pastoral teams and some young animators of the different realities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of O. L. of Fatima Province (POR) experienced a formation day at Fatima.
The pilgrimage began by listening to the text of Don Bosco’s dream, which is the backdrop of the 2023/2024 Pastoral Theme, towards the 200th anniversary of the dream that the Saint of young people had in 1824 at the age of nine.
“Guided by the dream”, the participants set off towards the “House of the Mother”, allowing themselves to be accompanied by Johnny Bosco recounting the story of this dream through the rooms of the Salesian house, to make them true “Houses that welcome,” “Schools that educate,” “Churches that evangelize,” and “Courtyards that accompany.”
Along the way, the opportunity was offered to reflect on the educational mission through questions and food for thought, dynamics, sharing, and testimonies. While walking, the group remembered and brought with them all the Educating Communities at the opening of the new pastoral year.
Along the way, the opportunity was offered to reflect on the educational mission through questions and insights for thought, dynamics, sharing, and testimonies. While walking, the group remembered and brought with them all the Educating Communities at the opening of the new pastoral year.
Let’s move forward in the Dream! (Avançamos no Sonho) is the Pastoral Theme that will guide and animate the Houses of the FMA and SDB Provinces during this scholastic and pastoral year. It is an invitation to continue a journey that began with the preparation for World Youth Day in Lisbon, an extraordinary event in the life and mission of all those involved.
Rich in the joy and enthusiasm received in those days, the Educating Communities wish to move forward through the hands of Mary, just as Don Bosco did, letting themselves be guided by this Teacher and listening attentively to the only word she addresses to the servants and to each of us in the Gospel, “Do whatever he tells you.”
“We are collaborators of a great dreamer, which is why we feel the great honor and responsibility of being bearers of this Charism. John Bosco’s dream is still alive in us, in our courtyards, and in the lives of many young people!” concluded the pilgrimage participants.
