(ANS - La Paz) - Both in Cochabamba and in La Paz, celebrations for the visit of the Rector Major began at the airport, where Fr Ángel Fernández Artime was greeted with joy and enthusiasm by bands and students from the various Salesian institutes, along with many members of the Salesian Family. "In ten years or less, you will be the people who will write the pages of a new and renewed Bolivia" is part of the message delivered by the Rector Major in Cochabamba.

After the young people had greeted Fr Á.F. Artime, he invited all present to pray for the success of his visit. Then he went to the Salesian Provincial House where he shared a moment of fraternity with his confreres. He then celebrated Mass together with Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, Apostolic Nuncio to the  country, and Salesian Bishops Jesús Juárez (Archbishop of Sucre), Tito Solari (Archbishop Emeritus of Cochabamba) and Fernando Bascopé (auxiliary bishop of El Alto), in addition to the Salesian priests present. Archbishop Oscar Aparicio, Titular Archbishop of Cochabamba and President of the Bolivian Bishops' Conference, attended the fraternal gathering that followed.

An academy took place in the gymnasium of Colegio Don Bosco with dances and shows performed by the various Salesian schools in the city. In his central message, the Rector Major invited everyone present, and especially the young people, to take life with responsibility and enthusiasm, because, he said, "In ten years or less, you will be the people who will write the pages of a new and renewed Bolivia."

On Saturday 11 April, the last day of Fr Á.F. Artime’s visit to the Province of Bolivia, it was the turn of La Paz. There the Rector Major visited the Don Bosco Youth Centre of El Alto where he met and talked with many young students of the School, boys of the Youth Centre and parishioners.

In the El Prado Salesian House he met children from the oratory. He was surprised at the large number of children there and he left them with a brief message which concluded with the invitation to be "always cheerful". Later in the arena of the Salesian Movement, he held a meeting with the various groups of the Salesian Family.

After the grand celebration that took place in the arena, with dances, speeches and gifts for the Rector Major, he gave a brief message to all, saying he was struck by the friendliness, warmth and joy of the young people. He reiterated that the future of Bolivia depends on them. In conclusion, Fr Á.F. Artime celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, thanked everyone and bade farewell saying, "Goodbye Bolivia! I carry you with me in my heart."

Published 13/04/2015