The Annual Youth Ministry Delegates and Network Heads Meeting 2026 of South Asia commenced on 13 September 2026 at Siloam, Umsawkhwan, Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya, in the Salesian Province of Shillong. The meeting, organised jointly by the Youth Pastoral Ministry, Rome, and Don Bosco Youth Animation – South Asia (DBYA-SA), Delhi, brings together the Youth Ministry Delegates of the Salesian Provinces of South Asia along with the heads of various youth ministry networks. Rev Fr Bivan Rodriques Mukhim SDB, Vice Provincial and Youth Ministry Delegate (YMD) of the province is attending the meeting.

The five-day meeting, being held from 13 to 17 September 2026, provides a significant platform for the participants to come together, share their experiences, reflect on the challenges facing young people, discern new pastoral directions and strengthen collaboration in youth ministry across the South Asian Region.

The inaugural session began on the evening of 13 September with the gathering of participants and Vespers. The participants were warmly welcomed, followed by an opening address by Rev. Fr Patrick Lepcha SDB, DBYA-SA. The inaugural address was delivered by Rev. Fr Raphael Bejarano SDB, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, who invited the participants to enter into the meeting with an open and collaborative spirit.

Reflecting on the purpose of the gathering, Fr Raphael emphasised that the coming together of the Youth Ministry Delegates and Network Heads is an opportunity to “Share, Reflect, Discern and Decide.” He encouraged the participants to make the meeting a meaningful moment for the growth of the Congregation and for a better and more effective service to young people in the different Salesian Provinces of South Asia.

The inaugural session also included the self-introduction of the participants, giving them an opportunity to know one another and to appreciate the diversity of Salesian youth ministry realities across the region. The theme of the inaugural address, “Walking Together in Youth Ministry,” underlined the importance of collaboration, communion and shared responsibility in accompanying young people.

The evening concluded with the hymn to Don Bosco and a Salesian reflection and Good Night Talk by Rev. Fr Jeevan Lakra SDB, Vice Provincial of the Shillong Province.

The following morning, during the Holy Mass, Fr Raphael Bejarano invited the participants to look more deeply at the realities of the young people whom the Salesians are called to serve. He reflected on the many crosses carried by young people today, including challenges, pain, loneliness, isolation and other forms of suffering. In this context, he stressed that the Salesian mission cannot remain merely at the level of programmes and activities but must become a ministry of genuine presence, accompaniment and understanding.

He reminded the Salesians of their responsibility to walk with young people in their difficult moments, to listen to their stories, understand their struggles and help them discover hope and meaning. The Salesian charism, he emphasised, calls for a pastoral presence that enables young people to experience that they are not alone in carrying the burdens of life. The meeting at Siloam is thus an important moment of fraternity and discernment for the Youth Ministry Delegates and Network Heads of South Asia.