Five Days Looking Toward the Future

Five Days Looking Toward the Future

SDB Youth Ministry Department Meeting

(ANS – Rome – July 25, 2025) – Five days of intense dialog, discernment, and planning marked an important moment for the Salesian Congregation’s Youth Ministry Department. This gathering signaled the beginning of a new phase of work, with eyes set on the journey from 2025 to 2030.

A united team with a common goal

Fr. Rafael Bejarano (front, 3d from left), general councilor for youth ministry, brought together everyone involved in the department’s work. The central team included:

–       Fr. Francisco Cervantes, coordinator of the Development Office and contact person for oratories and youth centers, parishes, volunteer programs, joint formation, biblical ministry, and the Latin American region

–       Fr. Jose Lorberth Vivo, coordinator of the evangelization office, responsible for the Salesian Youth Movement, vocational training centers, catechesis, and the East Asia-Oceania region

–       Fr. Jerry Matsoumbou, responsible for youth ministry with a vocational focus, liturgical animation, youth prayer, art and sports, youth leadership and accompaniment, and contact for the Africa region

–       Fr. George Thadathil (back, 4th from right), general coordinator of the Salesian Institutions of Higher Education (IUS) and university residences, in charge of digital platforms and contact for the South Asia region

–       Fr. Oscar Lozano Rios, coordinator of the education office, responsible for schools, and representative at OIEC and the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education

–       Antonella Sinagoga (front, 4th from left), involved in youth and family ministry, mental and emotional health, budget management, and knowledge management

–       Andrea Montesano, in charge of logistics and social media

Additional collaborators and regional representatives

Also participating were external collaborators and those with specific roles:
–        Piero Fabris, responsible for sustainability and social reporting
–        Sara Sechi (front, 4th from right), advocacy representative at Don Bosco International in Brussels
–        Fr. Peter Rinderer, working on vulnerability and exclusion, representative at Don Bosco U.N. in Vienna, involved in sociopolitical issues, and contact for Europe
–        Fr. Antoine Farrugia (front, far right), safeguarding and human rights specialist, advocacy coordinator and representative at Don Bosco U.N. in Geneva
–        Marco Ferrarato, sustainability and social reporting
–        Andrea Farina, human rights
–        Fr. Piotr Wojnarowski, safeguarding
–        Fr. Mathew Panamkattu (front, 2d from right), advocacy representative at Don Bosco U.N. in New York

Laying foundations for the future

In a spirit of fraternity and shared responsibility, the group worked on present-day realities with the future in mind. The work sessions were well organized, with shared documents, carefully planned schedules, and alternating formation moments. Together, the team identified key directions for planning the coming years.

Core activities included analyzing internal structures, reviewing roles and priorities, and reflecting on current challenges.

Leadership and strategic input

The Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard (front, center), took part in a formation session, clearly outlining the path the department is called to follow. In another session, his vicar, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, officially presented the guidelines developed during the 29th General Chapter for the upcoming 6-year pastoral cycle.

An important meeting was also held among the departments operating at the central headquarters, allowing them to reconnect and begin a journey of synodality and co-responsibility.

Contributions from academic and institutional partners

Some formation moments were led by professors from the Pontifical Salesian University, including Fr. Rossano Sala, Fr. Gustavo Cavagnari, and Fr. Michal Vojtáš. A valuable contribution also came from the Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors, which shared its efforts in safeguarding and extended an official invitation for the department to collaborate in this vital mission.

A renewed commitment

The meeting ended with a strong sense of having launched a vital synergy for the animation and accompaniment work to which the Youth Ministry Department is called in the coming years.