by BIS correspondent
VIRAR-MUMBAI, DECEMBER 2, 2013: On the 16th– 17th of November, 2013, the Salesian Youth Movement [SYM], Virar organised an All Night 
The Night Vigil had the theme of "Sailing towards a Stronger Faith" in context with the Year of Faith. The opening message was given by Fr. Lawrence D'Souza , sdb, with a few inspiring stories of how our faith can be tested, but how we must stay strong.
The 'Vigil Lights & Praise ' group conducted the Praise and Worship sessions which got the whole congregation dancing and singing and energised for the Lord.
The first session of the night was given by Fr. Lester Fernandes, sdb. This session was based on faith in context with adults. The session was quite meaningful. The Vigil Lights & Praise group animated the praise and worship sessions throughout the night, which kept the congregation along with the youth, rejoicing unto the Lord.
The SYM Virar put up a skit. With dance performances Choreographed to different songs, the skit depicted how the life of a youth can be tested in this modern world of material desires, how God is willing to accept us no matter how we are and how he fights evil to get us back to him. The skit was creatively enacted.
The net session was by Fr. Cleophas Braganza, sdb, who spoke on the topic of faith in context with the youth. He showed all present various slide shows depicting pictures of the World Youth Day held at Rio, Brazil in July 2013. The session was an interactive one as he divided the participants into groups to discuss the questionnaire that was distributed to every person in the congregation. He concluded the session by leading everyone into dancing for the song "Shout to the North".
After the session, there was the Taize prayer of worship. Three volunteers from the Don Bosco Youth Services ( DBYS ) conducted the Taize Prayer. The prayer session was conducted very meaningfully. The whole congregation participated by coming in front with lighted candles and kneeling before the cross, beautifully surrounded 
After another beautiful praise and worship session by the Vigil Lights & Praise, the congregation got ready for mass. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Lester and concelebrated by Fr. Lawrence D'Souza, sdb, and Fr. Cleophas Braganza, sdb. The mass was animated beautifully with the Vigil Lights & Praise group singing for the mass.
The mass ended with a vote of thanks proposed by one of the parish youth. All in all, it was an amazing and a beautiful experience in prayer just one week before the start of the season of Advent.