by Cl Ethan Fortes for BIS Mumbai

In keeping with the Jubilee Year of Hope begun this year, the youth groups of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Mumbai held an evening of prayer and reflection under the banner, 'Symphony of Hope' on December 12, 2024 at Don Bosco Centre of Learning, Kurla.

The evening consisted of a Praise and Worship led by the dynamic Echoes of Zion and Fr McEnroe Lopes. Through the lively music, the band brought in an atmosphere of praise to God, helping the youngsters uplift their hearts to God.

Fr Ashley Miranda, the Vice-Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai, was present for the event. In his address, he shed light on the reason behind the theme for the Jubilee Year of Hope and how each of us need to be able to live lives of hope while also helping others to hope.

The highlight of the evening were the five exceptional musical skits that brought in different stories and lessons of hope. Fr Charles Anthony had carefully curated each of the stories, working hard with the youngsters of the different SYM Groups in Mumbai to bring these stories to life. Each of the stories weaved in a different story of hope from Nightbirde's audition at America's Got Talent to the story of two blind sisters from Northeast India who were given a new start when they were treated for their blindness despite their poor background.

Youth from Our Lady of Dolours (Wadala), Saint Dominic Savio (Wadala), Don Bosco Youth Services (Matunga), Don Bosco College (Kurla), and Kurla Deanery Youth staged each story while the Nursing Students of Holy Family (Kurla) put up a dance on hope and being the light of hope.

At the close of the evening, each of the youngsters felt closely connected to the Salesian Youth Movement and felt a greater sense of responsibility for being witnesses of hope in the world.