| RMG – GC27: Reports from the departments and regions of the Congregation |
| Italy - GC27: Pilgrimage to the Becchi and Valdocco. "Here we were born." |
(ANS - Turin) – For the members of the 27th General Chapter, their third day in Turin was like a bridge between the origins of the Congregation and the demands facing it in the future. After the days at the Becchi and Valdocco, they confronted reality at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist. Here there were many reminders of the challenges that faced the first Sons of Don Bosco, and their evolution from a small group of followers of a saint to witnesses of his style of holiness throughout the world.
The church of St. John the Evangelist, visited by the Chapter participants yesterday morning (24 February), was the place where the successor of Don Bosco, Fr Michael Rua, developed the second oratory, a carbon copy of the first. He tried to reproduce in full the spirit of the Founder by imitating faithfully the Valdocco experience. It was a gamble that succeeded, and from there on the new Rector Major and the confreres found the courage to take the preventive system to the rest of Europe and the world.
The task facing the congregation now is to rediscover that same driving force. This means listening to the Spirit in order to discern the challenges that face the world of youth and to increase our ability to become as transparent as possible to allow the love of Christ to shine through.
On leaving the Church of St John the Evangelist, the chapter members went to the Shrine of the Consolata where Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin presided at the Eucharist. He expressed special gratitude to the Salesians for their ministry which is in the limelight these days with the pilgrimage of the relic of Don Bosco. It has touched not only the Congregation but the whole Church. Here in Turin we look forward to celebrating the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth. The Archbishop referred to the plight of the youth of today and the need for families, educators and teachers to work for the education of young people.
Fr Pascual Chávez noted once again the affection and esteem that exists for the Sons of Don Bosco. There was a touching moment at the end of the celebration, when the participants stopped at the tomb of St. Joseph Cafasso in the foyer of the Church. The Salesians testified once again to the importance of this humble and authoritative diocesan priest, who was a true teacher and guide of Don Bosco and his constant supporter also in a material way.
This brought to an end the pilgrimage of the participants in the 27th General Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco to the Salesian places. Early yesterday afternoon they embarked on the journey back to Rome.
Published 25/02/2014
