The Youth Pastoral Team of the Province conducted a Regional Youth Meet at Auxilium Convent Tura, on 19-20 March 2016. The two-day program commenced at 10:00 a.m. on March 19, with the arrival and registration of the youth, which was followed by an inaugural function hosted by Sr. Aquila Makri. 140 youth took part in the Meet.

The introductory gathering began with the lighting of the lamps, a sign of invocation of God’s presence in our midst and a brief prayer moment shared by various persons. It included songs and prayer dance by the boarders of Auxilium, Tura. The Chief Guest of the day was Sr. Marcellina Sangma, the Provincial Bursar who also took up the first session. Without wasting time, Sr. Marcellina started her session immediately after the opening ceremony. The second session on “Media and Youth” was given by Sr. Anita Dhar. Sr. Manoda dealt on Group Dynamics and Sr. Monica Sangma on ‘The significance of living the youthful phase with educated outlook’. The youth appreciated the sessions. The presence of the animators of our communities in Garo Hills was a great impetus to the sisters and the youth.

The following day was the Passion Sunday.  A brief moment with the Lord was animated by Sr. Beronica Sangma, after which there was a panel discussion on the theme ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Mt.5:7) moderated by (Dr.) Sr. Lucy Marak, the animator of Bosco Margret Hostel.  There were six panelists and each was given five minutes time to talk. All of them spoke on the mercy of God and being merciful in different ways. It was an enriching moment. At the end of the discussion, Sr. Lucy summed up everything so beautifully and concluded the session. After their breakfast, a session by Rev. Fr. Jogesh Sangma SDB followed. He spoke on: ‘Being merciful like the Father: A youth’s perspective’. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking talk. At 10:00 a.m., the Youth Mass solemnized by Rev. Fr. Busolin SDB and Fr. Jogesh SDB began with a procession from the entrance of the house where the palms were blessed. After Mass, there was a group photo session with the fathers, sisters and the youth, making the memory of the day last forever. We thanked the Good Lord for the success of the program and for the many hidden sacrifices offered by our sisters and Salesian Co-operators of Garobadha. The youth returned to their respective places after lunch “…and they talked to each other about everything that had happened” (Lk. 24:14). There was joy in their hearts and broad smiles on their faces. We thanked Sr. Manoda Sangma, the Co-ordinator for making this day a reality. May God bless our young people and may Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello accompany them in their youthful journey.

The World Youth Day this year will take place in Krakow from the 26^th to the 31^st of July 2016, with the theme “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7).