KIGALI GATENGA SEMINAR FOR THE PRE-NOVICES ON SALESIAN YOUTH MINISTRY FROM 6TH TO 8TH MAY 2021

A three-day seminar on youth ministry was held at the prenovitiate from 6^th to 8^th May 2021 with the general theme “Quels  prénovices salésiens sommes-nous appelés à devenir aujourd’hui?”, with Fathers Jean-Pierre Turabanye (delegate of the provincial commission for youth ministry and Augustin-César Habanabakize (member of the same commission and of the formation commission)  as faciltators. During the three days, it was an all day long session starting from 8am up to 5pm. Of course the usual classes were not conducted on Thursday  and Friday. The programme was this : 8-10 : first session; 10.20 to 11.30 : second session. This was then followed by the mass at 11.45. On Thursday the mass was celebrated by Fr Raymond Bavumiragiye, the provincial vicar; on Friday the celebrant was Fr Augustin-César Habanabakize and on Saturday, the final day it was presided over by Fr Pierre Turabanye. After the mass everyone went for lunch and then from 2 pm to 3:30 pm it was time for the third session, and finally from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm for the fourth and last session of the day, then the usual house time table resumed.
Here is an overview of the seminar:

Jour 1

1ère séance : Jeunes et défis de la pastorale des jeunes au Rwanda (P. Turabanye)

2^ème séance : Pastorale des jeunes à la lumière du récit d’Emmaüs (P. Habanabakize)

3^ème séance : Modèle de la pastorale salésienne des jeunes (P. Habanabakize)

4^ème séance : Jeunes et défis de la pastorale des jeunes au Rwanda (travail en groupes guidé et mise en commun : P. Turabanye)

Jour 2 

1^ère séance :La lettre de Rome de 1884 comme fondement de la pastorale salésienne                     des jeunes (P. Turabanye)

2^ème séance : La lettre de Rome de 1884 (suite) (P. Turabanye)

3^ème séance : Animation missionnaire salésienne (P. Habanabakize)

4^ème séance : Animation missionnaire salésienne (P. Habanabakize)

(travail en goupes guidé et mise en commun)

Jour 3 

1^ère séance : Défis et perspectives de la pastorale scolaire et oratorienne en AGL

(travail en groupes et discussion)

2^ème séance : Mouvement salésien des jeunes (P. Habanabakize)

3^ème séance : Accompagnement des jeunes selon « Christus vivit » (P. Habanabakize)

4^ème séance : Défis et perspectives de la pastorale scolaire et oratorienne en AGL

Conclusion de la session (P. Turabanye)

The days were very beneficial as in nourishing the understanding of the Salesian youth ministry. So many important things were shared, these included: the “Letter from Rome” written by Don Bosco. This challenged us much particularly following our aspirancy experiences and our near future expectations. We also looked at the models of Salesian youth ministry in Rwanda and elsewhere, and many other things in line with the theme. The seminar was really very useful for us who need to grow in the understanding of the Salesian works and in the ways of doing things. We therefore would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to : first the provincial council and the provincial formation commission for taking the initiative to enrich our formation with the seminar. Then secondly, to Father Jean Pierre Turabanye and Father Augustin-César HABANABAKIZE for giving their time and energy to facilitate us throughout the session. We would also like to thank the pre-novitiate director Father Sinaize Bigirimana, for making sure everything was conducted the way it was planned. And finally to all who were supportive in one way or the other without forgetting  ourselves, the pre-novices for the cooperation and attention during the days of seminar. God bless us all.

                                                                                                          Isaac Ofoyrwoth, pre-novice