Rome (Italy). In the 12th CommTalkS video, the initiative of the Communication Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with the aim of creating a shared vision of the culture of communication, young people are the protagonists, together with educators from Sacred Heart Youth Center of the Central Headquarters of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Rome.
At the end of the Lenten initiative, “The Wednesdays of Hope”, proposed in this Jubilee Year mainly to young people who are doing their civil service at the Salesian Work, some of them answered the question: What is hope?
Every week during Lent, “ordinary but extraordinary” witnesses of daily life showed how the light of hope can shine even in the most difficult situations. A former drug addict turned religious; homeless people seeking redemption; a family that has transformed the pain of losing a daughter into love; a young refugee in search of freedom. Different stories but united by the same transforming force. These meetings planted seeds in the hearts of young people, raising deep questions about the meaning of life and the roots of Christian hope.
Together with what they heard and meditated on, their words reveal the experience of service in Civil Service that has changed them, helping them to come out of themselves and become closer to the needs of others. “For me, hope is a form of attention; it’s having eyes open on people, the world, and looking behind the scenes of every problem, which is always life that resists and fights to express itself,” shares Benedetta.
Fr. Renato Di Furia, SDB, is responsible for this open environment after the renovation of Sacred Heart Central Headquarters, wanted by the Rector Major emeritus, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, to become a point of reference for young people in Rome and elsewhere.
Fr. Francesco Marcoccio, Director of Sacred Heart of Jesus Community, then addressed a significant appeal to Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, asking for the collaboration of some Sisters for the Youth Center. This fraternal dialogue marked the beginning of a beautiful project: the creation of a joint commission of the Salesian Family, called to develop an innovative educative proposal for young people who seek in this work – born from the dream of Don Bosco – a reference point in the complexity of the present time.
Sister Herlinda Palomino and Sister Chanda Nsofwa, collaborators of the Youth Pastoral Sector of the FMA Institute, thus took part in the Commission, which met for the first time on 30 November 2024. It was coordinated by Fr. Renato, and gave rise to a fruitful sharing of ideas between SDB, Past pupils, Salesian Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco, and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
This commission also includes the Missionary Sisters of the Risen Christ, who for more than fifteen years have been present in the work with a small community, sharing their experience based on the essential pillars of welcome, of intercultural dialogue, and of integral formation.
The “strategic” position at Termini Station – crossroads of students, workers, and migrants – immediately emerged as a unique opportunity to create a multipurpose space where young people can feel at home and grow humanly and spiritually. This Youth Center, located in the headquarters of the Salesians, where the successor of Don Bosco resides, intends to be a door open to the world, a prophetic sign of synodal work as Salesian Family.
“As a committee of the Youth Center, we have lived this journey with emotion, seeing how small gestures can spark great transformations,” affirm the FMA. “Seeing young people asking questions and opening themselves to sharing has confirmed the validity of the Salesian method: patient listening, constant presence, and confidence in the potential of each one”.
The video is available with subtitles in some languages (from the YouTube settings). All CommTalks remain available on the on Youtube Channel CGFMANET and can be retrieved from the side banner on the home page of the Institute’s website.
