by Father Ajay Shelke for BISMumbai

On 18 September 2021, the youth of SYM-GuRaM region participated in a well animated 'night vigil' service organised by Salesian Youth Movement, Dakor (SYMDakor). A total of 112 youngsters comprising both boys and girls, and 22 Salesian animators participated in this prayer experience. The sole purpose of the celebration was to help the youngsters experience and feel God’s presence for themselves.

The first segment of the event comprised of a wonderful session animated by Father Isaac Arakaparambil, Rector and Parish Priest of Don Bosco Church, Vadodara. He spoke to the youth about Salesian Youth Movement, and its aim of forming good Christains and honest Citizens.

After a sumptuous meal, all the youth gathered for a ‘katha’: a traditional form of Religious Story telling. Father Ignas Macwan SJ through his ‘katha’ helped the youth to reflect on the theme: Moved by Hope: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21: 5). He told the youngsters to possess the necessary virtues of justice, charity, and solidarity for reconstruction after the days of the pandemic.

The youngsters then spent time worshipping the Eucharistic Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. FMA nun Urvashi Macwana helped the youngsters to pray and worship in adoration. Simultaneously confession and counselling were also on. The sacrament of reconciliation helped the youngsters to heal their relationships with God, others and the world around. The youngsters experienced the healing love of Jesus, the good shepherd through this Sacrament.

Father Daresh Rathwa-Principal of Don Bosco School, Narukot animated the youth. Using the Word of God, the preventive system of Don Bosco, he made the youngsters become aware that they need to focus on growing in their spirituality. Focusing their attention on the person of Christ Jesus he urged the youngsters to imitate the quality of Jesus in their daily life.

The vigil culminated with a well animated Holy Eucharist celebrated early in the morning. The youth truly encountered Jesus during this night of prayer and went away carrying this beautiful experience in their hearts.