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2/11/2015 - Colombia - Fr Ángel Fernández Artime visits the "Valdocco" of Medellin
Photo for the article -COLOMBIA – FR ÁNGEL FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME VISITS THE "VALDOCCO" OF MEDELLIN
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(ANS - Medellin) - On the morning of 31 October, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, visited Ciudad Don Bosco, one of the works that caters for the biggest number of children and young people in Medellin. Its programmes for protection, human development and professional training make it the most representative of the mission of the Sons of Don Bosco to serve the poorest and most vulnerable. The visit took place as part of the Provincial Feast of the Colombia-Medellin Province which was taking place at the same institute.

In his opening address, the Rector Major said he was happy to be in another "Valdocco". He said that wherever "a boy or a girl is happy and at ease, and feels at home, where they can develop the ability to relate to others, deserves the name Valdocco." He then paid a visit to the centre and met with the children, young people and adolescents in each treatment programme. They, for their part, displayed their talents with dancing, stage performances, or exhibitions of paintings, photographs and handicrafts.

There was also time for questions and interviews with young people who were out of home because of the armed conflict and with other kids who opened their hearts to the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco, saying how happy they were to be at the centre and to have learned so much (photo gallery on the visit to CDB).

Later Mass was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Salesian presence in Medellin and fifty years at Ciudad Don Bosco, as well as the significant anniversaries of profession or priesthood of various Salesians. In his homily at the Mass Fr Á. F. Artime left three clear messages:

  • He invited all the Salesians to "be faithful to God and to continue the dream of Don Bosco in order to ensure that their presence will endure," and he expressed his satisfaction at seeing that they can work in cooperation with civil society for the common good.
  • He thanked the teachers for their work in sharing responsibility for the mission, because "together (lay people and religious) can achieve great things". He acknowledged that the good that is being done today and the strength of the Congregation have been made possible by their unity. He also asked them to "look at every child with the tenderness of God" in order to be able, as an institution, to change the reality.
  • With the young people he was loud and clear: "I asked them to finish school, consider Ciudad Don Bosco as a home, hold on to the values ​​received in their training and to be happy and share them with others."

After the Mass the Rector Major had lunch with members of the Salesian Family and, finally, as part of the Provincial Feast, he met all the priests, brothers and Salesians in formation of the province and gave them a message of encouragement. (Photo Gallery on the Mass).

Published 02/11/2015

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