Tiruchirappalli, 11 July 2026: The INT Province Youth Service Coordinators’ Meeting was successfully held at Don Bosco Media Centre, Manikandam, Tiruchirappalli, bringing together Youth Service Coordinators from across the Province along with the four Zonal Youth Directors. The one-day programme, organized by the INT Youth Ministry – ILAMAI (Salesian Youth Movement) under the leadership of Rev. Dr. M. Casimir Raj, SDB, Youth Director, focused on strengthening youth ministry, fostering collaboration, and renewing the vision of Salesian accompaniment of young people.
The programme began with prayer and a warm welcome, followed by inspiring sessions from eminent resource persons who enriched the participants with practical insights for contemporary youth ministry.
Understanding and Accompanying Gen Z and Gen Alpha
The first session was led by Dr. J. Florence Shalini, who delivered an engaging presentation on “Winning Hearts, Shaping Lives: Engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha with Care and Confidence.” She explained the changing realities of today’s young people and highlighted the importance of understanding their aspirations, emotions, digital culture, and search for identity. She emphasized that effective youth ministry today requires listening, empathy, authentic relationships, and creating safe spaces where young people feel valued and accompanied. She encouraged Youth Service Coordinators to move beyond programmes and events towards meaningful relationships that inspire young people to grow as responsible citizens and committed Christians.
Youth Engagement through Mera Yuva Bharat
The second session was presented by Mr.R.Maheswaran, Accountant and programme Supervisor, My Bharat Kendra, Tiruchirappalli, who introduced the Government of India’s flagship youth initiative Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat). He explained the vision of creating a developed India by empowering young people through volunteerism, leadership development, nation-building activities, skill enhancement, and community engagement. Participants were encouraged to register their youth and collaborate with MY Bharat to provide wider opportunities for leadership, service, employability, and civic participation.
Building an Oratorian Culture in Youth Ministry
Rev. Fr. Albert Johnson, SDB emphasized that effective Youth Ministry must be rooted in the Oratorian spirit of Valdocco, where every Salesian presence is a Youth Centre guided by an Oratorian heart that welcomes, accompanies, educates, and evangelizes young people. He explained that the four dimensions of Salesian Youth Ministry—Education to Faith, Education and Culture, Social Experience, and Vocational Guidance—are not merely activities but strategic dimensions that must permeate every sector and programme of the Province. All departments exist to serve and strengthen the sectors, and this integrated approach becomes visibly present and tangible through vibrant youth groups. He further outlined the collaborative roles and responsibilities at the provincial, zonal, local, and personal levels—including the Provincial, Youth Ministry Delegate, ILAMAI Director, Zonal Coordinators, Rectors, and Local Youth Service Coordinators—in building a vibrant Salesian Youth Movement where young people become protagonists of social transformation in society and the Church.
Building Vibrant Youth Groups across the Province
Rev. Dr. Rozario, SDB presented the Strategy for Youth Groups 2026–2027, proposing a four-phase action plan to revitalize youth ministry throughout the Province. He emphasized capacity building and training of Youth Ministry Coordinators and youth leaders, strengthening and forming youth groups in parish, institutional, rural, and YaR sectors, developing leadership at the zonal level, and establishing specialized groups such as prayer, media, and cultural teams. He also highlighted the importance of spiritual animation, sports, talent development, volunteerism, and the revival of Daily and Sunday Oratories as vibrant spaces of youth accompaniment. He encouraged every centre to organize at least eight local programmes annually and every zone to conduct two major zonal programmes, ensuring systematic documentation, leadership formation, and active youth participation.
Career Guidance and Life Choice Formation
Rev. Fr. Daniel Sebastian, SDB, representing the INT Vazhatti Team, shared the team’s vision and mission, expressing its wholehearted commitment to accompany young people across the Province. He assured the participants that the Vazhatti Team is ready to offer career guidance, job placement assistance, employability support, and life-choice guidance at the local, zonal, and provincial levels. He invited every Youth Service Coordinator to collaborate closely so that young people receive timely guidance in choosing careers, employment opportunities, and vocational discernment.
Strengthening ILAMAI and Youth Ministry
A significant session was conducted by Rev. Fr. Barnabas, SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Media Centre. Drawing from his four years of experience as Youth Director of the INT Province, he shared the history, evolution, and growth of ILAMAI (Salesian Youth Movement). He explained the significance of the ILAMAI Statutes and the INT Youth Policy, emphasizing that ILAMAI provides an inclusive platform welcoming young people from all religions and backgrounds, reflecting the Salesian spirit of openness, dialogue, and accompaniment.
He further stressed the urgent need to establish feeder groups for adolescents, recognizing adolescence as the foundation for nurturing leadership, values, faith formation, and active participation in youth ministry. His reflections inspired the coordinators to strengthen continuity between adolescent groups and youth groups in every Salesian presence.
Zonal Planning and Future Directions
Following the morning sessions, participants engaged in lively group discussions on the opportunities and challenges of youth ministry in their respective centres. During the afternoon session, the four Zonal Youth Directors shared their zonal plans, upcoming programmes, best practices, and collaborative initiatives, encouraging greater networking among the zones.
Each participant received a copy of the ILAMAI Statutes and was encouraged to study, implement, and promote them in every local youth centre. The participants unanimously observed that the Statutes have remained unchanged for more than ten years. Since the Statutes themselves recommend a review every five years, all agreed that the ILAMAI Statutes should be revised and updated during the current year to respond effectively to the emerging realities and aspirations of today’s youth.
The meeting further resolved to:
- Strengthen and register ILAMAI youth groups in every Salesian presence according to the ILAMAI Statutes.
- Form vibrant youth groups with trained leadership in every centre.
- Send four elected youth leaders from each registered group to participate in the forthcoming ILAMAI General Body Meeting at Don Bosco ITI, Jawaharpuram, Madurai.
- Implement the Province-wide youth formation strategy and strengthen networking among all four zones.
The participants expressed deep appreciation to the resource persons and organizers for their enriching inputs and practical guidance. The meeting concluded with renewed enthusiasm and commitment as everyone joined in singing the Hymn to Don Bosco, reaffirming their shared mission to accompany young people and build vibrant ILAMAI communities throughout the INT Province.
Fr. M. Casimir Raj, SDB,
Youth Director, INT Province
