The Youth Space reopens at San Paolo – BAP

San Paolo (Brazil). On 22 April 2025, at Our Lady Aparecida Province Center (BAP) in São Paulo, the renovated areas of the Youth Space, were inaugurated. It is the operational center for the Province Youth Ministry and meeting point for young people.

Present at the celebration were: the Visiting Councilor of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Paola Battagliola; the Provincial, Sister Alaíde Deretti; the Youth Ministry Delegate of  Our Lady Help of Christians Province (BSP) of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Claudio Mota; young people, past pupils, counselors of the Salesian Youth Organization (AJS), collaborators, and FMA.

Sister Teresa Cristina Pisani Domiciano, Provincial Coordinator of Youth Ministry, presented the environments, emphasizing the importance and significance of the Youth Space, a dream born in 2010 from a request of the Novices who wanted a pastoral center. It then materialized in 2013 with a beautiful infrastructure that in 2025, acquired new colors.

Sister Alaíde, Sister Paola, and Sister Teresa Cristina then removed the tape attached to the door declaring the space reopened. Subsequently, the first area was presented, the office of the Pastoral team, which received the blessing of Fr. Claudio with the aspersion.

Subsequently, Sister Alaíde Deretti, highlighted in her words: “This is not just a physical space, but a real place for all those who seek to grow, learn, and strengthen their faith. May this space be a symbol of welcome, communion, and much hope. That every shared word, every inspiring word and every gesture of solidarity may be reflections of the love that unites us as a great community of our dear BAP.”

The General Councilor, Sister Paola Battagliola, took up the words of Pope Francis from the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, saying: “As educative institutions in mission, (…) it is urgent to offer spaces to share and live a spirituality of encounter with the Living Jesus. Create a place; create a home; ultimately create a family so that they can feel this family love.” She added, “I really desire this space to be a place where young people can find a home, a place to make family, to meet love here, in this environment.”

In an atmosphere of great joy, Sister Teresa Cristina presented the other work rooms, and the guests were able to hear the sharing of the collaborators: Mailla Oliveira of  Ribeirão Preto (SP), Victor Florenzano of Guaratinguetá (SP), and the young Ana Luiza, Counselor of the AJS, who commented on the importance of the Youth Space and the significance of this proposal for Youth Ministry today.

The complex, in addition to the Don Bosco office, also has a large meeting room, which bears the name of Mary Help of Christians, “She who did everything”, and two other multifunctional meeting rooms, Laura Vicuña and Mother Mazzarello. In thanksgiving for the presence of all, the festive moment ended with typical Salesian elements: music and joy!

Sister Paola commented that, “The Youth Space is the result of the shared commitment of a Province that looks to the future with the eyes of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. A passionate, confident, and open gaze on young people, on formation, and on innovation.” This is how we welcome with love the youth of the entire BAP Province, embracing the mission to educate and evangelize in the Salesian style, responding to the requests of young people and the cry of an ‘outgoing Church’.