FLASH NEWS:
NEWS
MUMBAI:
LAF 2026 Strengthens Salesian Youth Leadership Through Faith and Fellowship
News reported by: Bernadette Menezes, LAF representative, INB
Twenty-eight youth leaders from the Mumbai and Panjim Salesian Provinces gathered at Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, on August 22 and 23 for the Leaders & Animator Formation (LAF) 2026, a two-day programme aimed at strengthening spiritual formation, leadership skills, collaborative learning and fraternal unity.
The gathering brought together youth leaders from Mumbai, Gujarat, Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar of the Mumbai Province, and representatives from Goa, Karnataka and Konkan Maharashtra of the Panjim Province. The programme focused on their identity as Salesian youth leaders and their commitment to accompanying young people with faith, vision and a spirit of service.
The programme began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Leon Cruz on the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Icebreaker activities led by the Pune youth set the tone, followed by Fr. Leon’s session on the identity and spirituality of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM).
A leadership formation session by Fr. Ronald explored leadership through the example of Jesus and Don Bosco’s vision for young people. Participants reflected on their leadership qualities and identified habits and attitudes needed to respond to contemporary challenges in youth ministry.
An interactive Mentimeter session, facilitated by Leander Pereira of the Salesian Province of Bombay, enabled participants to share regional initiatives, exchange best practices and learn from one another. The first day concluded with Eucharistic Adoration animated by the Gujarat youth, followed by games and “Salesian Night,” hosted by the Goan delegation.
The second day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Ralin, followed by an environment-focused workshop conducted by the Archdiocesan Office of Environment (AOE). Inspired by this year’s Season of Creation theme, “Living Waters,”participants created symbolic posters and a Baptismal Font exhibit using recycled materials, including jam jars, drapes and lights.
Fr. Ralin also conducted a session on Don Bosco’s Preventive System, highlighting its three pillars: Reason, understood as the pedagogy of encounter; Religion, which responds to the spiritual thirst of young people; and Loving Kindness, expressed through pastoral accompaniment.
The programme concluded with a visit to the Pranam Maria Exhibition Centre in Bandra, where the participants experienced a multi-sensory presentation on the life of Jesus and the mysteries of the Rosary. The visit was followed by prayer at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount.
Participants appreciated the programme’s blend of prayer, leadership formation, creativity and peer learning. A youth leader from Goa described the Season of Creation activity as memorable, while a Gujarat delegate highlighted teamwork, responsibility and confident leadership.
A participant from Nashik appreciated the well-planned schedule and opportunities to exchange ideas across zones. The sole Karnataka delegate noted the inclusive atmosphere and said the warmth, respect and equal participation gave fresh inspiration to strengthen the youth group.
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Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Year of publication: 2026
Available from: 4 March 2026
Pages: 928 pp., Paperback
