Approximately 80 members of the Sa-fa Family in Brazil, including 70 young people and around 10 educators, gathered in the city of Marau, in the north of Rio Grande do Sul, for the Youth Mission. The event took place between 25 and 27 October. The participants came from Brasília-DF, Ibema -PR, Itapiranga-SC and Marau, which hosted the meeting at Colégio Gabriel Taborin/FABE. The Mission, which brings together students from the Network’s four units in Brazil, takes place every two years. This year, 2024, in Rio Grande do Sul, the meeting was filled with moments of reflection, spirituality, sharing and voluntary work. For this purpose, a more vulnerable neighbourhood was chosen in Marau, where the students of the Network were able to visit families, bringing prayer and the charism of Brother Gabriel. Recreational activities were also carried out with around 70 children and teenagers from that neighbourhood. In addition, a lunch was shared with the children assisted and Sa-Fa students, culminating in a religious ceremony that involved everyone. Preparation for the mission began long beforehand. In their units, educators, management, pastoral workers and students who are members of pastoral groups collectively prepared for the moment. From the choice of the slogan “I take Gabriel’s Peace with me” to the activities to be carried out with the children in the neighbourhood and the Mission’s theme song, everything was thought out and built by many hands. The arrival in Marau took place between 24 and 25 October. The first delegation to arrive was from Brasilia. Next came the students and educators from Itapiranga-SC and finally the group from Ibema-PR. The management, coordinators, secretariat and the most diverse sectors of the Gabriel Taborin School in Marau were lined up to welcome the groups. According to the testimonies of the young participants, the Mission was a unique moment of involvement, volunteering, connections and, above all, of looking at the world beyond our school and local realities.
