Aparecida (Brazil). From 3 to 5 September 2025, in Aparecida, the young leaders of the Salesian Youth Articulation (AJS) of the ten Salesian Provinces – FMA and SDB – of Brazil met to experience their Jubilee with moments of reflection, sharing, and celebration of faith.
The roots of the Jubilee
The AJS Jubilee was inspired by the Salesian Youth Synod (SYS),
held in August 2024 in Turin, Italy. On that occasion, the young representatives of Brazil, nourished by the Salesian Charism, reflected on the Salesian realities and the future of the Church. Driven by this experience, AJS made a commitment to organize a similar meeting in Brazil.
Days of reflection and sharing
On 4 September, the participants visited the Salesian presence of Pindamonhangaba (SDB – BSP), where they were welcomed by Fr. Alexandre Luís de Oliveira, SDB, Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province (BSP); by Sister Teresinha Ambrosim, Provincial of Mother Mazzarello Province (BMM) and contact person for Youth Ministry of the Interprovincial Conference of Brazil (CIB); and by Fr. Francisco Cervantes, SDB, Mexican, contact person for PG in America and member of the PG team at the Rome Headquarters.
Walberto Giordano Santos Silva, SDB, YM delegate of Saint John Bosco Province (BBH), then addressed the topic, “The Columns of Hope”, contextualizing it on the basis of the dream of the Two Columns (Don Bosco), the history of the SYM in Brazil. At the end of the formative moment, the Eucharist was celebrated, presided over by Fr. Alexandre Luís de Oliveira, with the presentation of objects representing the various Provinces.
In the afternoon, divided into groups, the young people spoke about the dreams and needs of today’s youth. As leaders in their realities, they have created a very productive listening and sharing space, prepared by the young people of the organizational team. Towards the end of the day, they had the opportunity to visit the replica of the House of Don Bosco, designed by the current Director of the Salesian Presence of Pindamonhangaba, Fr. Agnaldo Soares Lima, (BSP) who led the group, telling the story and the motivation for the construction of the work, from the gate of “Vila dos Becchi” to its interior: a space dedicated to Salesian spirituality that helped young people deepen their charismatic experience.
To end the day, the participants experienced a time of adoration, led by Father Cláudio Andrade Motta, YM delegate of the BSP Province.
On the following day, the program continued at the FMA House in Guaratinguetá of Our Lady Aparecida Province (BAP) with a formative moment led by Sister Ana Maria Gomes Cordeiro, YM Coordinator of the BMM Province, who addressed the theme, “A Shared Dream”, reflecting on the experiences of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, awakening in the participants the sense of belonging and the certainty that the dream continues to be alive and fruitful.
Subsequently, Isadora Lina Prudente Pinto, in charge of the FMA Memorial in Brazil, together with Sister Cleonice Aparecida Lourenco, Coordinator of University Pastoral Care of Teresa D’Ávila University Center (UNIFATEA), and Sister Silvana Soares, vice-director of the UNIFATEA Center, led the group in the visit to the Memorial, presenting the history of the FMA and the historical contribution of the Sisters in the State of São Paulo.
After lunch, in a plenary moment called “From SYM to SYM”, the young people reflected on how the National SYM can act in a network, strengthening and coordinating initiatives throughout the country. It was a moment dedicated to young people, with attentive listening to the men and women Religious accompaniers, which stimulated a very constructive debate.
In the evening, the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Diego da Silva, YM Delegate of Saint Pius X Province (BPA). During the offertory, young representatives of each Province presented t-shirts of events held in their Regions.
As a gesture of friendship, the participants organized the “Feirinha da AJS” (the SYM fair), where they shared t-shirts, pins, foods, and other objects from their Provinces. The SYM Jubilee concluded with a “luau”, an evening outdoor party, characterized by music, reflections, and a dynamic of commitment to a promising future of the SYM. The collective embrace among young people symbolized unity and the desire to build an ever-stronger movement.
Youth Jubilee CNBB
On 6 September, SYM Jubilee participants joined the Youth Jubilee promoted by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB). The celebration brought together thousands of young people from all over Brazil in Aparecida, who walked on pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Patron Saint of Brazil, in a beautiful testimony of faith, with the Holy Mass, moments of prayer, catechesis, and cultural activities.
Some resonances
“Living the SYM Jubilee, with young people from all over Brazil and the theme, ‘Hope for Young People’, was an incredible experience. Moments that brought us back to our history, such as the visit to the replica of the House of Don Bosco and the Sisters’ Memorial, were fundamental in reminding us that Don Bosco’s dreams were also the dreams of God and that we have the grace to participate in this dream. Being with so many young people at this meeting and at the Youth Jubilee was wonderful and gave me the assurance that hope and union among young people are alive within the Church” (Ana Luiza, BAP).
“The Jubilee transformed my life, leading me to look with greater hope to the future of the world’s young people and, in particular, of our homes. Seeing, listening, and sharing with young people from all over Brazil made me return to my Province with a renewed enthusiasm and commitment, animated by the strength of the Holy Spirit, to continue with more trust and dedication to the mission entrusted to me. May Don Bosco continue to animate us and may Mary Help of Christians continue to guide our journey towards the encounter with Christ” (Eddie, BMA).
“The SYM Jubilee is a very important moment in our journey as a national YM, a fruitful experience of meeting, sharing life, listening, and, above all, of youthful protagonism. The SYM is a living sign of hope in the Church and reveals how the Salesian Charism is an instrument of God in the lives of many young people. We believe that this meeting will bear even more fruit in our evangelizing action” (Sister Claudiane da Silva Cavalcante, Coordinator of YM BRE and representative of the National Commission of YM).
“For me, as a YM delegate, it is a grace to listen to these young people full of dreams and expectations and, even more so, it is to be able to see that, in these days of meeting – in moments of sharing, coexistence, celebration, and prayer – they set goals that will certainly help our journey. We hope that a great story opens from here and that every young person feels loved by the Salesians” (Manoel Messias da Silva, SDB, Delegate of YM BRE and contact person of the National Commission of YM).
