(ANS - Quito) - "The first mission of a Rector, according to our Constitutions and Regulations, is to help to ensure that the confreres of our community are vocationally healthy." This is part of the message that the Rector Major gave in his homily during Mass in the Salesian Regional Centre for Ongoing Formation (CSRFP), which is now holding a Formation Course for new Salesian Rectors. On this occasion he also stressed what was already proposed by the 24th General Chapter, that the option for the laity is not optional.
In his homily Fr Á.F. Artime expressed a heartfelt message to the Salesians present:
"Know that the Lord chose the people he wanted, first as his friends to be with him and share his life (...). He chose a group of men, friends, trusting them without knowing them, as often happened to us at the beginning, and he chose to be with them, to have a life in community, to share meals with them, to walk the roads with them, to go to the temple together, to dialogue with them ... I say this because, in fact, sometimes we feel a great responsibility or urgency. It is certain that this is one of the weaknesses we experience - often the main one. There is a danger that our confreres are not our main concern. I mean, the main thing for us should not be taking care of emergencies that arise in the works.
The first mission of a Rector, according to our Constitutions and Regulations, is to help to ensure that the confreres of our community are vocationally healthy. This means sharing breakfast or meals, listening or waiting for the brother who returns late and having supper with him, helping to create a community of life in which we remain strong in our vocation. This is a big challenge, and I also know that it is not immediately easy."
Then the Rector Major visited the CSRFP and met the team that animates it, in addition to the participants in the course for new Salesian Rectors. He reminded them that they should not skimp on resources to meet the most needy. He said that this applies not only to children and teenagers in vulnerable situations, but also to the young people in the houses of formation.
He highlighted what was already proposed by the 24th General Chapter, in particular when it stated that the option for the laity is not optional, because if a work or a house is to go forward, it should be through joint collaboration between the Salesians and laity.
When he reached the Provincial House, Fr Á.F. Artime met with the Provincial Council. At 5.30 p.m. local time, along with his secretary, Fr Horacio López, he went to the Mariscal Sucre airport to return to Italy, stopping on the way in Madrid for the launch of the book "Don Bosco Hoy".
Published 22/04/2015
