Historical Background

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Document 9
In 1985, the Youth Ministry Department in the Salesian Generalate in Rome attempted to gather together the many group experiences of Salesians and young people all over the Salesian world. The result was Document 9, published under the title “The Salesian Plan for Group Activity.” The document expressed the desire of the young people to unite in a “movement”, centered on the person of St. John Bosco and nourished by the Salesian Youth Spirituality.

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First National Youth Groups Congress
Almost simultaneously, the Youth Ministry Team of the Salesian Philippine Province focused its attention on the same concerns. in the different Salesian schools, parishes and centers, there were present in great number and activity varied groups for kids and young people. Fr. Salvador Pablo, then in-charge of group experience, felt the need of giving stability and a common direction to these groups. Under the leadership of the Youth Ministry Delegate, Fr. Precioso Cantillas SDB (now Bishop), preparations began for the first National Youth Groups Congress.

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Together to Get There!
The slogan of the National Youth Groups congress was coined by Fr. Armand Robleza: “Together to get there!” It fittingly expressed the desire to unite and move on together. In October 1985, more than five thousand young people gathered at the Rizal Memorial Multi-purpose Hall for a whole day of singing, prayer and games. For the next two days, a select group of animators and leaders met for more serious discussions in the Joy Center of Don Bosco Makati. Document 9 had not yet reached the Philippines, but the delegates to the Congress vibrated with the same aspirations:  the desire to unite in a movement, the need for basic unifying structures, and the awareness of a common spirituality. In the Congress, the “Savio Friends club” and the “Knights of the Altar” were established as national groups.

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Youth 2000!
On January 31, 1988, right after the official opening of Don Bosco Century Celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of St. John Bosco’s death, a Youth Camporee was held in Mt. Makiling, Laguna. More than six hundred (600) youth-group members, leaders and animators camped on the slopes of the mountain for a three-day experience that ended with the official launching of the Salesian Youth Movement, Philippines. The Provincial, Rev. Fr. Francesco Panfilo SDB (now an Archbishop in Papua-New Guinea) presided over the celebration.

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From Colle Don Bosco
In September 1988, the Youth Ministry Delegate, Fr. Mario Baclig, SDB, and the official youth representative, Rene Onting, from Don Bosco Tondo, participated in Confronto ’88, held in Turin, Italy.  The event, marked by the visit of Pope John Paul II and the beatification of Blessed Laura Vicuña, gave recognition to the Salesian Youth Movement worldwide. In Colle Don Bosco, the “Hill of Youth-Beatitudes,” then Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Egidio Vigano, SDB, handed to a select group of young people lighted lamps signifying the life of the movement. Rene Onting received the lamp in the name of Asia, and carried it home to the Philippines.

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National youth organizations in the Philippines
In 1986 the bishops of the Philippines established a separate commission for the youth, the Episcopal Commission on Youth, and its corresponding National Secretariate. With Fr. Mario Baclig SDB as its executive director, the Secretariate established the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO) in 1990, and welcomed the Salesian Youth Movement as one of its members. The movement actively participated in the preparations and celebrations of the 10th world Youth Day (Manila, 1995), and handled the 9-month journey of the Youth Jubilee Cross through all the dioceses of the country, and the Saturday Youth Vigil (January 14, 1995). From then on, the movement never failed to send representatives to the World Youth Day celebrations and also in the Asian Youth Day celebrations which was later organized for the region by the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference.

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The SYM Primer
In August 1992 the first Primer on the Salesian Youth Movement was prepared by the Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry (Don Bosco Philippines) for the animators of the SALESIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT, and for all those involved in Salesian youth ministry. It was based on the proceedings of the NATIONAL YOUTH GROUPS CONGRESS II, held in December 1991 at Don Bosco, Makati, and was presented in the Salesian Provincial Chapter 1992. A revised Primer (2008) has been prepared by the Youth Commissions of the Northern and Southern Salesian Provinces of the Philippines.  It draws from the Movement’s rich experience of the past 15 years, and looks forward to the Third Millennium.

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SYM @ 20, Moving On
In November 29-30, 2008, youth leaders and animators of both FIN and FIS provinces held a National Assembly in Don Bosco Makati to assess the 20 years of the Salesian Youth Movement, to own the revised SYM Primer, to take on the new challenges of the SYM, to elect the National coordinating Team and to celebrate in prayer and in camaraderie. The youth groups Biblos and Friends of Laura Vicuna were duly recognized as an association of the movement existing in both North and South Provinces. However, there was a call for a revision of the formation handbooks of the existing youth clubs.



The CBCP Year of the Youth
Not only was the Salesian Youth Movement very active in the activities of this local Church-proclaimed event to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth, but many events and graces happened. From April 2-6, 2011, the three SYM delegations of the FIN, FIS and FMA gathered and celebrated together after a long time the Year of the Youth in the Salesian Youth Day 2011 held at the St. Mary Mazzarello School in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The Salesian Youth Movement was again at the service of the Church as it helped organized the National Youth Day as part of the Federation of the National Youth Organization which was hosting this big gathering of young people. Not only did our young people participate but more of our leaders and animators were tapped as committee leaders and facilitators. Finally, from Dec. 2-4, 2011, the SYM National Assembly Days was held in Don Bosco Technology Center, Cebu City to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Salesian Youth Movement in the Philippines and to celebrate with the Archdiocese of Cebu the closing of the Year of the Youth. During this conference, the renewed formation framework of the four original associations and the guidelines of three federations were presented and will be ad experimentum until 2015.

Vision:

We envision                                                     a dynamic Salesian Youth Movement, where the young,                         Salesians and lay animators,      journey together with mutual esteem and trust seeking the will of God,      live their faith as servant leaders          of the Church and society                   with a preferential option for the poor.

Mission:

We commit ourselves to                         live out creatively                                       the Salesian Youth Spirituality,
create an atmosphere of reciprocity and mutual learning,
continuous and integrated formation,
and youth action in the local Church and in the socio-political field.

Goals:

The SYM promotes:
• Group Experience |                      Salesian Youth whose gifts of nature are enhanced and tapped towards efficient and effective servant leadership in Church and society. Youth Groups are imbued with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the poor.
• Evangelization & Catechesis | Salesian youth who witness to gospel values and journey together towards holiness of life.
• Education & Culture |                Salesian Youth whose hearts and minds revere life and value culture.
• Educative Pastoral Community | Salesian Youth going out of their way to reach out to the poorest of the poor.
• Vocation Orientation |            Salesian Youth making responsible decisions in relation to one’s career and state of life, consistent with Christian values and sensitive to the signs of the time.