The world in which we live is complex and presents significant challenges. It is difficult to be consistently authentic, and for this reason today’s young people are afraid and confused, but above all they have a great need to be loved. One of the most frequent questions they ask themselves is: “What should I do with my life?”
This can also be seen when they reflect on their vocation. The strong desire to succeed leads to uncertainty and prevents them from achieving authentic happiness.

Don Bosco inspires us to retain the ability to awaken in young people the Christian vocation to care for others: this can transform life and the world around us, just as Don Bosco did with the boys of the Valdocco Oratory.
Don Bosco was able to wonderfully combine the primacy of charity with intense activity in the service of young people, a generous and joyful, constant and radical service, reflecting his communion with the Lord. 

The choice of God, who is Love, is thus identified with the desire to be “a sign and bearer of his love to young people,” especially the poorest. This dedication has been present since the beginning of his life; it is a choice that marks his entire life journey until the end, like a guiding star that leads him even amid life’s trials and storms. Once, explaining how he wished to win the hearts of his young people, he said: “I would give everything to win the hearts of young people and thus be able to offer them to the Lord.”

Like Don Bosco, we are called to attune our hearts and dreams to today’s young people, to stand with them, side by side, and to be those who guide them within reality, with love. A love that does not tell young people what they should say, a love that does not tell them what they should do, a love that offers opportunities to help them grow in spirituality and transform life into a gift and a commitment.