Santiago (Chile). From 17 to 19 June 2025, the National Assembly of CEDIMA 2025, (Centro de Estudiantes Dirigentes de María Auxiliadora) was held at the Casa de Ejercicios Sagrado Corazón in El Bosque, Santiago. The event was animated by the National Council of CEDIMA, together with Councilor, Sister Catalina Báez Vergara, FMA. This formative meeting brought together 150 representatives of the Student Centers of the Educational Communities of the Chilean Province St. Gabriele Arcangelo (CIL), from Iquique to Punta Arenas.
The objective was to promote leadership and socio-political-ecclesial commitment of the students, strengthening their youth protagonism through charismatic formation and meeting with peers. Accompanied by their FMA and lay counselors, the young people lived a period of Salesian formation, rich in significant experiences for the performance of their executive duties: Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Pastoral Delegates, Secretaries, Treasurers, Delegates of the Salesian Youth Movement, Integral Ecology Delegates, Culture and Communication Delegates, and Primary Education Delegates.
During the first day, the identity of CEDIMA was deepened in the light of the priority option for continuous formation of the General Chapter XXIV, reflecting on the role of student leaders at the service of others.
The second day was characterized by the option of integral ecology. Animated by the “Cultiva” Foundation, they participated in a reforestation day on the slopes of Cerro Colorado in Renca (Santiago), where the Laura Vicuña Sanctuary is located, particularly in the area of the new Mary Help of Christians scenic viewpoint.
In the afternoon, they lived with enthusiasm the experience of the “Salesian Challenge”, where they worked as a team, overcoming seven challenges that allowed them to strengthen their identity as Salesian leaders. The day culminated with a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in which through singing, they praised the Lord, living an experience of communitarian and Salesian ecological spirituality,
The last day was focused on the priority option of synodality. Inspired by the testimony of Sister María Romero Meneses, patroness of CEDIMA, the students reflected on the importance of their civic formation and, starting from her example, they designed concrete actions to be carried out in their communities, with the desire to “spend one’s life for others”.
This assembly is part of the educational path proposed by the Chilean Province through the Salesian Youth Movement, to accompany young people in their integral growth, offering spaces where they can discern, dialogue, make decisions, and contribute to the construction of society with a clear evangelical and co-responsible commitment in the today of the Country and the Church.
Photos: Flickr CIL
