(ANS - Rome) - The final Sunday of the Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family was marked by the Rector Major’s presentation of five issues to be addressed with intelligence and pastoral concern: life, family, education, evangelization and vocation.

The Day opened early in the morning with the Eucharist presided over by Fr Pascual Chávez in the chapel of the Generalate.

Later, in the Aula Magna, the Rector Major gave his closing speech in which he highlighted five issues or themes which Fr Chavez has already faced in his twelve years as Rector Major and leader of the Salesian Family. He is now re-proposing them as goals for the whole Salesian Family committed to the salvation of young people.

In his talk, Fr Chávez recalled that during his term as Rector Major the Identity Card of the Salesian Family had been developed. He recommended that this should not be used to institutionalize the charism, but rather to enliven the spiritual apostolic movement.

The Rector Major has also made an urgent appeal to all the groups to work for the realization of joint projects in each territory so that each one may feel a sense of belonging, not just to one unit of the Salesian Family, but to a vast movement inspired by the spirituality of Don Bosco.

In this way the Salesians want to participate in the authentic spring of the Catholic community that Pope Francis is calling for. The Holy Father asks first of all for growth in the sense of Church. This feeling is grounded in the fact that the cause of Jesus is the cause of humanity, and therefore it is possible to face every situation with hope. The challenge that Fr Chávez is proposing for these times is the ability to develop the socio-political dimension of the faith. This means being able to express the good news not only in our personal lives but also in the life of the society.

To a standing ovation, Fr Chavez thanked the members of the Salesian Family for the way they had accompanied him during his 12 years as Rector Major. They had done "a great job", as he called it, especially last year when he suffered from health problems. His special greeting to young people will be published at Valdocco on 31 January, Feast of Don Bosco.

A video summary of the day is available on ANSChannel.

Published 20/01/2014