【慈幼通訊社
─
2016 年
06月
13
日敘利亞阿勒頗訊】
─
持續超過五
年的戰事，令敘利亞血漬斑斑。不同陣線的軍人及政客，追求他們各自的特定目的，而危害公眾的利益。然而，有些人顯得更形固執：他們就是慈幼會士，繼續在阿勒頗這座致命者之城，為青年舉行暑期活動。
慈幼慶禮院的暑期活動於上週展開。活動得到慈幼會團體，以及接近85名不同年齡策勵者的協助，並在整個阿勒頗慈幼家庭不同形式的支持下得以舉行，參與活動的青年男女約有800人。
來自敘利亞的慈幼會士Pier Jabloyan神父表示：「縱使戰事不斷，並帶來持久的黑暗，然而我們卻要在阿勒頗青年的心中，燃起一線的希望之光。我們小心謹慎地以巴士把孩子迎接到慶禮院，讓他們享受數小時的喜樂與恬靜。」
這一年暑期活動的主題，選擇以慈悲為中心，以約納先知的故事為序幕。「這對我們來說十分貼切，不僅是因為慈悲禧年，也是因為這主題深深觸動我們：我們國家需要慈悲，就是來自天主的慈悲。」
在這殘酷的戰事下，人們活在極度的矛盾中：一方面人們要完全在戰爭之中生活，終日恐懼市內遊擊隊、狙擊手和炸彈襲擊，且缺乏公共服務，隨時染病，徘徊在生死邊緣……
另一方面，教育團體試圖平靜地面對日常生活，盡快開課，舉辦遠足、遊戲及其他活動……就這樣，慈幼慶禮院成了真正的倡導者。
Jabloyan神父總結時說：「我們作為鮑思高的神子，嘗試透過這一切活動，盡我們所能為最貧苦的青年服務。唯有上主知道事件如何進展。請為我們祈禱，因為我們預期，往後日子仍會十分艱苦。」
The War continues, but the Salesian Summer Activities are back
(ANS - Syria –Alep, 13 June 2016) – After over five years, the war continues to steep Syria in blood. Military people and politicians of the various fronts continue to pursue their particular goals to the detriment of the common good. And yet there are some who are even more obstinate that they are: they are the Salesians who continue to offer the youth of the martyr city of Alep their summer activities.
The summer activities of the Salesian Oratory commenced last week. About 800 young boys and girls participate in this event, assisted by the community of the SDBs, with the help of nearly 85 animators of various ages, and in diverse ways also by the entire Salesian Family in Alep.
“Despite the war and the darkness deriving from it, we try to light a small lamp of hope in the hearts of the youth of Alep. With great prudence and care we try to bring the children by bus to the oratory so that they may spend a few hours in joy and serenity”, narrates Fr. Pier Jabloyan, a Salesian confrère from Syria.
The theme chosen for this year’s Summer Activities is focused on mercy, starting from the story of Prophet Jonah. “This is a very relevant theme for us, not only because of the Jubilee year, but because it touches us deeply: our country is in need of mercy, the one that comes from God”.
In this pitiless war, the city lives in utmost contradiction: from one side the people are obliged to live the war fully, in the fear of urban guerrilla warfare and of snipers, explosions, lack of public services, hovering death, diseases… on the other the educative community tries to face day-to-day life as far as possible in peace, starting as soon as possible classes, outings, games, activities… And in this, the Salesian oratory is a true protagonist.
“In all this, we, as children of Don Bosco, try to do our best for the poorest youth. The Lord alone knows how things proceed here. Pray for us, because we are anticipating hard days ahead of us”, concludes Fr. Jabloyan.