San Paolo (Brazil). Available on music streaming platforms – Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music – is the anthem “Somos Rede” (We are network), born in the context of the 1st National Meeting of the Salesian Network Brazil (RSB), held in Aparecida, São Paulo, from 28 to 30 August 2023, which brought together representatives of the 10 Provinces of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesians of Don Bosco in the country to reflect on the theme “Where are the young people? – ‘Come and see’ – In the sacrament of presence, the Salesian secret to educate and evangelize.”
Varied were the fruits of this great “network” gathering, such as the Manifesto to young people, a document drawn up jointly by the participants in the meeting, with the 12 commitments taken on as the Salesian Network Brazil. Among other points, it states the commitment to listen attentively to young people, to foster youth leadership, to build bridges, to strengthen action in defense of life, and to combat violence.
Another original fruit of this event was the creation and launch of what has become the anthem of the RSB. Sister Celene Couto, FMA of the Province O. L. Aparecida (BAP), and Jean Lopes, responsible for the musical animation of the meeting, had the idea of writing a song representing the great network movement that had been created in those days. “The idea of composing a song for the meeting came to Sister Celene. When we were invited, she sent me a message saying that we had to write a song about the theme of the congress,” says Jean. “The night before the meeting opened, Jean and I decided to compose a chorus and there, in the hotel lobby, the song was born. When it was presented to the participants, it became the new anthem of the RSB,” adds Sister Celene.
We sow today, we see a new time sprout
With courage and hope, we are a network
Together we form good Christians, honest citizens
With courage and hope, we are a network
We are a network of love
The anthem was very well received by the participants who, on the last day, sang it together, knowing the words from beginning to end. “The songs on the Salesian mission give us the opportunity to sing our spirituality and our identity,” observes Sister Celene. “Music can reach where words alone cannot reach. The mix of melody, lyrics, and arrangement conveys the message more easily to minds and hearts,” Jean adds.
To listen to the song on the platforms (Spotify, Deezer, YouTube) click here
Source: RSB
