Salesian Youth Ministry

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out the laborers for his harvest”

This week we are especially thankful for the “yes” of our Salesian priests and brothers. Their yes helps us to grow in our relationship with God.

One of my favorite things that I have found as I’ve gotten to know the Salesians over the past six years is how they are able to walk with young people in both the fun and serious moments. The same priest who is running around throwing water balloons at you, is also bringing you Jesus in adoration or hearing your confession and the same brother who is break dancing at the dance party, is helping you find Jesus in the everyday.

In a special way we pray for Deacon Tom Junis as he prepares for his ordination to the priesthood at the end of the month. We thank God for his “yes” and Him to be with Deacon Tom over the next two weeks.

A pierced heart is an open heart.

The outpouring of the blood and water is not only a gift but an invitation to enter. Approaching this gentle and humble heart of Jesus will never leave us where we are. There is not authentic devotion without transformation. He pours out his grace but in our freedom we must choose participation, surrender, the innocence of a child, the humility of a disciple and the courage of an apostle. Jesus I want my heart to look like yours.

Today I choose to draw close, to leave no distance between us, I desire to enter into your most sacred heart, pierced and open for me. May my steps not be selfish and may there be no desire to grasp, but may this be my home and refuge for to rest and to be made new. Your heart is food for the journey. It is water for new life. It is grace for true love.

O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I hope and trust in you.

Happy Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Happy Pentecost and Feast of Mary Help of Christians!

Sorry, I couldn’t separate them. These last 9 days, I prayed a Novena to the Holy Spirit and Mary Help of Christians, because our family celebrates our Mother today (the 24th) too. I wanted something that would encapsulate the two of them.

Every day of the Novena, I was amazed at the two.
Mary really trusted.
Mary, the spouse of the Spirit.
She really responded freely every day.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
And she sat in the midst of the disciples in this locked room, and they waited.
Waited in fear.
Waited in uncertainty.
Waited in joy that their friend had risen as He said.
But I just can’t imagine that Mary was experiencing the fear that they were.
A mother knows her son, and Mary had never walked alone a day in her life; the same Spirit that the Lord would breathe on them was the one that had led her to this room with them.

And that’s my hope, that with the help of the Spirit, I would believe everything the Lord has already shared with me. That I would trust when I really don’t know or understand, remain, rebuke fear, receive the peace that never stops, that I would let the Spirit lead me closer to heaven each day, and that while I was being led, the Lord would use me.

And the beautiful Psalm we heard today, “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth,” is what we can ask. Because with Mary, we have seen the truth of it, with the disciples, with our saints, with the good people living out their faith in our lives. This is not an ancient prayer but one we see every day. The Spirit is MOVING, recreating, and in the Spirit’s movements we can say, Jesus is Lord. The Spirit is being sent to us, in our obedience, in purifying our will; we are the face of the earth that the Spirit is renewing.

Keep turning, let the Spirit guide you, ask for grace, remember the Lord has given you everything and more, turn to Mary, who can’t lead us without following the Spirit herself, and live fully so that by your obedience, you can renew the face of the earth for the one who created it.

Come Holy Spirit, Come!
Mary, Help of all Christians, pray for us!

Happy Feast of St. Mary Mazzarello!

Today, we get to celebrate a woman’s absolute gift to the church, her heart. She left us with the best gift: our Salesian Sisters.
Our teachers, friends, mothers, examples, and so much more.

In them, we can catch so many glimpses of who Mother Mazzarello was, faithful, simple, strong, capable, humble, generous, FUNNY, cheerful, grateful, and a good mother.

One of the great gifts of working for the Salesians is being close to our sisters. I know that when I am with them, they help me be a better version of myself; they listen, spend time, help, and point right to Jesus’s heart. And it’s not because they are born perfect; it’s because, like their foundress, they are striving for virtue, and that is hard work, but it’s done for the person in front of them.

I hope today you send a text, call a sister who has touched your life, and especially pray in thanksgiving for the life of St. Mary Mazzarello and the gift of her canonization. She has enriched the church with women who love God, who give their lives every day for you and pray for you, and entrust everything to our Blessed Mother.

Happy Feast Day!
St. Mary Mazzarello, pray for us!