“You are also involved in Salesian mission”.
The Salesian and FMA communities in Rwanda organized youth leaders’ formation who collaborate in the Salesian mission. Five young people from Goma, DRC, represented the youngsters of the AFC province. The formation had an objective of preparing the youth leaders of Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) who are involved in holiday camps (Patronage) which take place in Salesian and FMA houses. This formation took place in FMA’s community, Nyundo Diocese, Muhato Parish from 21st to 24th July 2025. The formation fostered on Catechism, Arts, profile of an animator, and child psychology. By the end of this assembly, these youth leaders presented the challenge of today’s young people, who are more interested in secular activities than in spiritual matters. This challenge is the main topic of this article, inspired by the different contributions given by the youth leaders on the above problem.
The question that was raised is why, whenever the super-stars are gathered, in concert, in soccer, basketball matches, etc., the young people are more attracted than in spiritual gatherings such as pilgrimage to the sacred places, holy mass, etc. Some youth leaders argue that most of the young people are taken by digital culture, where they are very busy with social media. Another leader outlined other causes such as ignorance of the relevance of spiritual life, negative experience with religion, and lack of catechism in their basic education. Some propositions and answers were given by the youth leaders and Salesians to overcome this challenge.
There is a need to evangelize the young people on social media where they are most found. Even though it may not be attractive for the young people, spiritual gatherings respond to the moral behavior and offer directions that make society more relevant to the young people. Some youngsters suggested that church leaders should be closer to them because they feel abandoned in their world and judged by their appearance. Hence, the young people should be helped to discover God in their daily life and feel welcomed as they are, so that they may have a sense of belonging to the church regardless of their weaknesses.
The youth leaders appreciated the works of SYM by involving the young people in the Salesian mission because that is where the young people recognize their participation in the church’s mission, and their way of sanctification.
By the end of the formation, the youth leaders, members of SYM, engaged themselves to go and serve the other young people in “patronage”, during the holidays and wherever the church requires their contribution for the evangelization.
Elysé Itangishaka, sdb
