(ANS - Corigliano Calabro) - On 24 and 25 April, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement and the Salesian Family in Southern Italy experienced great joy, with the Feast of the Young People and the Feast of the Province. The theme of the celebrations was summed up in the motto "beyond our gaze."  Their joy and sense of celebration were enhanced by the presence of the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco, who chose to visit the Salesians in the southernmost part of Italy.  

The young people welcomed Fr Fernandez Artime on Thursday 24. They dealt with the proposed theme through testimonies and group discussion, and took a careful look at creation. There was good participation in the  concluding vigil, which showed that young people look to God and also that Jesus looks to young people.

On Friday 25, in the eyes of the young people - and of the whole Salesian Family - you could sense the anticipation for the arrival of the new Rector Major. The young people were waiting for his words, they wanted to shake his hand, and to look him in the eye. The task of the Rector Major was to direct their gaze to God and help everyone to understand that Jesus is the Lord.

This was emphasized by the Rector Major during his homily at the Mass. The disciple who recognized Jesus was the beloved disciple, the one who could see with the eyes of the heart. Fr Fernandez Artime urged the young people with the following words: "Dear young people, do not be afraid to recognize in your life, even in dark situations, that Jesus is present as light and life [...] and that Mary is there to take us by the hand and help us, even in the darkness, to see and understand that the Lord is present.”

After Mass and lunch together, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement gave the Rector Major the Manifesto they had composed during their group discussion: look beyond, turning indifference into beauty, combating lawlessness with honest, look at the world around us.

Fr Fernandez Artime ended the day with the traditional Salesian Good Night. "I have come here to Southern Italy,” he said.  “I did not start my journey in the centre of the town, but right here in the suburbs where Pope Francis asked to act."

As a final gesture, the Rector Major was photographed with the young people and thanked them for their welcome.

Published 28/04/2014