Parish Community

A place for youth education and leisure in the spirit of Don Bosco. The Oratory is open to all children and young people between the ages of 7 and 18. Activities include games, sports, artistic activities, catechesis and community celebrations.

Salesian Oratory

What is the Oratory?

As a child, St. John Bosco realized that in order to bring other children closer to God, it is necessary to offer them not only to pray together, but also to engage in other activities that they would like and look forward to. In the yard of his house, he invited his neighbors to play together, participate in juggling performances, and listen to interesting stories during long winter evenings. The classes always ended with a common prayer, and often young John repeated the priest's Sunday sermon to everyone. Thus was born what he later called the Oratorio.

The Oratory was officially born on 12/08/1841, St. On the day of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, when Fr. St. John Bosco In the sacristy of the Franciscan Church of Assisi, he met Bartholomew Garelli. The two got to know each other, talked, and the priest briefly taught him about religion. The following Sunday, already 5 guys came to look for "that funny priest" and spend time with him. After 4 years, 250-300 young people participated in the activities of the oratory.

In any country of the world, the Oratory is a typical Salesian activity with children and young people. This word means more than a place - for example, a brick building. This includes all useful activities for the comprehensive education of children and youth, meaningful use of free time, Christian training of both soul and body.

In summary, the Oratorio is:

Home where we can feel like family

Courtyard and hall where we can play friendly with others

A School where we can learn to live better

Church where we can approach the Lord

Oratorios in Lithuania, Vilnius

Already before the Second World War, several Oratories were active in Lithuania: in Vilnius, Kaunas, Vytėnai, Raseinai... The activity was banned during the Soviet Union, and was started to be restored again after regaining Independence. Since the time when Vilnius St. John Bosco's parish was entrusted to the Salesians, special attention began to be paid to activities with children and youth. Children's choirs were organized, summer trips and camps for groups began, Lazdynai schools began to attend.

Since 1996 in the Salesians' homes, children and young people could participate in daily mass, meetings, games, spend free time, prepare lessons, celebrate holidays, go to stationary camps - the Oratory began its daily life.

Since 2002 summer courses for volunteers (Salesians call them animators), "mass" day camps in July for all children were started. In this way, the activity of the oratory strengthened, classes were already held in both Lithuanian and Polish languages. Activities are not just for children. Young people are also invited to help occupy the little ones - to be animators. in 2011 in summer, in July, 320 children registered for the day camp.

Since 2002 autumn every Sunday before children's St. At Mass, children are invited to participate in oratorio games. Those children who have already received First Communion also started attending the oratory and mass. Currently (2012) around 60-80 children come to the games every Sunday. During traditional organized holidays, the number of participating children reaches an average of 200-250. January 8, 2012. 272 children and 22 animators participated in the Three Kings festival.

in 2004 The Vilnius Salesian community purchased a homestead in the Ignalina district, Tverečius town. Since then, stationary camps for children and animators of Vilnius and Kaunas Salesian oratories have been held there every summer.

On weekdays, the activity of the oratory continues in the children's day center, which opens its doors to children after school. Animators can also donate their hours of free time there.

The present of the Vilnius Oratory

We invite children every Sunday at 2 p.m. participate in games

Every Sunday, St. Mass for children at 3 p.m.

On weekdays, children come to the daycare center where they prepare lessons, play and be together

At the beginning of the school year, on Three Kings Day, during Mardi Gras, Atvelykis after children's St. Thematic holidays with a program and gifts are organized for Mass children

Every year in July, a day camp for children is held in Lazdynai

Children's stationary camps are held every summer in the Ignalina district, in the town of Tverechius

Young people are invited to help organize activities with children on a voluntary basis

Animators every Sunday after children's St. Masses gather to chat and discuss news

Youth are invited to prayer meetings on the last Saturday of the month at 6 p.m. (in Lithuanian) and on the first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. (in Polish).

Certificate of animator

"It seems that everything started so recently, and in fact it has already been a whole decade since Fr. Alessandro's enthusiasm and Italian temperament ignited an oratory for children in the Vilnius Salesian monastery in Lazdynai. The Salesian, realizing his mission in Vilnius, invited the boys and girls of the youth choir of the parish to help. Still, the beginning in Vilnius, I think, was not very easy for him and for us. Many of us had not had any (It's funny to remember, but for me personally, who was not aware and interested in Salesian spirituality and activities in the world, the word "oratory" was only associated with the musical genre, and the word animator - with an artist who creates films for children). The preparation of animators began with intensive courses, and after a few months - in 2002. in the summer - the first children's summer day camp took place in Lazdynai. Although earlier other St. The priests of J. Bosko's parish organized a vacation on the beach for children and youth choirs and mass ministers almost every year, that time all the other children had the opportunity to go as well. Everything happened at the same time: we learned to communicate and be friends with each other and with the children, and while volunteering we grew and matured ourselves. A two-week day camp was organized in Lazdynai and one week in Palanga... The experience was amazing!

The priest's gift of thanks and encouragement to continue his work was a trip to Rome, to Italy - a country that almost everyone fell in love with. This is Fr. The birthplace of J. Bosco, it is a land where the Salesian spirit is deeply and visibly rooted. How great was the contrast between what we did at home and what we saw abroad! The Salesian home we visited organized camps for hundreds of children throughout the summer, dozens of animators worked in them, we were welcomed by numerous communities of Salesian brothers and sisters, schools, and universities. Trying to replicate all of this here in Lithuania would probably be "mission impossible", but the much more modest ambitions of the Salesians in Lithuania, for example, a homestead in the countryside for the Salesians' summer camps (now the building has been repaired from the ground up in Tverečius), at the beginning seemed just as utopian or difficult to implement. After a noisy and adventurous summer, not all animators decided to continue their activities on Sundays before mass. There were not many children, and without them the oratory itself loses its meaning. However, considerable efforts were made to ensure that activities did not stop during the first year. Sometimes more numerous, sometimes smaller, sometimes strong, and sometimes not quite harmonious, the collective of animators acted, changed, grew - lived a real life with losses, worries and with joys and successes.

Today, a large part of those first animators of the Vilnius Salesian Oratory have already created families and are raising children. Some have gone to live abroad, and when they come home, they are always willing to come to help themselves. Some still volunteer right here, while others work with children even on the path of consecrated life. Every year, new faces join the team of animators, and it is especially fun to see children who have grown up in the oratory. The activities here are many and varied. Salesian priests encourage active participation in events organized by the VAJC for young people, or cooperation with other organizations.

I don't know how long I will work as an animator, but I already know that I will take what I learned here to other areas of my life, I will be an animator in a different way with the people I will have to meet. And what was given to me by St. John Bosco and his spirituality experienced at the oratory will stay with me for the rest of my life." (Animator A.)

Neighborly Love and Social Assistance Service. The Caritas group takes care of single grandparents, large families and socially vulnerable parishioners. Food distribution events, clothing drives and home visits are organized.

There are two choirs in the parish: an adult liturgical choir that sings at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. St. At Mass, and a youth music group performing carols at 7:00 p.m. St. At Mass. We invite everyone who likes to sing!

Servants — boys and girls from the age of 9, helping the priest St. During the mass. Ministers learn liturgy, prayer and community. Trainings and camps are organized regularly.

**Ministrare **translated from Latin means "to serve". Thus, a minister is a servant, a clergyman's assistant who helps the priest during Mass or other services. The most important goal of a minister is to take care of the beauty of the liturgy while setting a good example for his peers. The servant must behave nicely not only in the church, but also at home, at school, in the yard. There, the minister must testify to his love for God and the other person by his behavior.

10 Commandments for the Servant:

1. A servant loves God and performs his duties in an exemplary manner for His glory.

2. A minister serves Christ in another person.

3. The servant struggles with his faults and develops his character.

4. The minister cultivates the grace of God in himself.

5. The minister knows the liturgy and lives it.

6. A servant brings true joy everywhere.

7. The servant recognizes God in nature.

8. The minister wins friends for Christ in his work and play.

9. The servant is diligent and honest in his studies and work.

10. The servant prays for his Motherland and serves it with honest work.

Anyone who wants to serve at Mass is invited and can contact the pastor.

The Living Rosary community unites parishioners for common prayer. Every member says one mystery of the Rosary every day, and once a month everyone gathers together for common prayer and spiritual conversation.

In our parish, the "Living Rose" society. The members of this prayer community are committed to praying at least one mystery of the Rosary every day. Members pray for the intentions of the Pope, the local bishop. Rosary - "chain of roses" - is worshiped together with St. Mary's reflection on the life of Jesus. The Rosary is a summary of the Gospel. He expresses a living faith and sincere love for the Savior and St. To the Virgin Mary.

Many popes in the second millennium had and cultivated a devotion to Mary. After Leo XIII - the "Rosier Pope" - all popes have recommended this prayer. John Paul II was especially devout to St. Mother of God. He always carried the rosary with him and recited it incessantly. Appearing St. The Virgin Mary invites you to say the Rosary in Lourdes and Fatima.

Every first Sunday of the month St. Mass at 7 p.m. during which prayers are offered for the living and for the dead members of the Living Rosary. We cordially invite all those who want to pray together, because prayer is a conversation between a person and God, maturing deeper faith, firmer hope and sincere love.

An international community connecting people with disabilities, their families and friends. Meetings include prayer, sharing, celebration and fellowship. Everyone is welcome — every person is a gift from God.

"Faith and Light" is a Christian communal movement. These communities bring together children, teenagers and adults with severe or mild mental disabilities, their family members and friends, mostly young people.

For people with mental disabilities "Faith and Light" provides an opportunity to reveal their talents, share the wealth of their hearts, and experience the joy of friendship.

**For parents **"Faith and Light" is support in difficult moments of life, here they more easily notice the inner beauty of their child, his true gifts. Many parents themselves become a support for other families who are going through difficulties.

**For friends **"Faith and Light" is the way to know true friendship. Thanks to a disabled person, they experience that there are other values ​​in the world besides efficiency, the pursuit of profit and constant racing - the values ​​of the heart. The weak and rejected man calls for simple presence, gentleness, listening and faithfulness.

"Faith and Light" communities are meeting communities, the members of which meet regularly to strengthen mutual ties, share difficulties and hopes, celebrate and pray together. Between meetings, we don't forget each other: we call, visit, go on pilgrimages together, organize summer camps.

"DIEVOS SODAS" is one of the ten communities of "Faith and Light" located in Lithuania and close to St. John Bosco Parish.

We are always looking for new members!

Alcoholics Anonymous self-help group meets in our parish premises. Meetings are anonymous and open to anyone seeking help for alcohol addiction.

From AA Preamble:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope to help themselves and others recover from alcoholism.

The only condition to be a member of the society is the desire to stop drinking. Alcoholics Anonymous does not pay admission or membership fees. We support ourselves from our own contributions.

Alcoholics Anonymous is not affiliated with any sects, religions, politics, organizations or institutions, avoids any controversy, does not support or oppose any movements.

Our main goal is to get sober and help other alcoholics get sober.

If you have problems with alcohol and want to stop drinking, you are welcome.

We invite children and youth to participate in summer camps. The camps are organized according to the spirit of Don Bosco's upbringing — games, sports, creative workshops, excursions and spiritual activities await.