(ANS - Lima) - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, had only words of gratitude in his homily yesterday, Tuesday 14 April, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima, where there were hundreds of people present from various groups of Salesian Family.

Representatives of many groups - Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Damas Salesianas, ADMA, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - attended the mass, attracted by the spirituality of Don Bosco and the presence of Fr Á.F. Artime.

During the Mass, at which Fr Santo Dal Ben and other Salesian priests concelebrated, the Rector Major said, again, that this was a very special meeting in the presence of so many people. "Thank you for your presence, because your presence in itself already speaks and says a lot."

"Complaining is forbidden, I repeat, complaining is forbidden." These were the words used by the Rector Major to make it clear that the Salesians must be a family that conveys hope and lives in faith. The Salesian Family is made up of believers. It is distinguished by faith in God, faith in the Lord Jesus.

There was a nice moment when the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco said that if he stayed another week, he would never again return to Rome. "We feel at home here," he said.

After the celebration, the Rector Major met and encouraged the students of the Salesian Technical-Productive Education Centre. He highlighted in particular the interest of the Salesians in the world of training and professional work. To rescue many young people from the streets Don Bosco first opened his home to them and then he did something else - he taught them the trades of tailoring, carpentry and shoemaking. “He passed on to the young people what he had learned himself” said Fr Á.F. Artime.

Finally, in the playground of the Institute, the young people and the whole Salesian Family paid tribute to the Rector Major through various artistic performances, including that of the band of the Mary Help of Christians Institute in Brena. The whole yard was in festive attire as young people, dressed in white and with handkerchiefs in hand, danced in the style typical of the north of the country.

Published 15/04/2015