(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:
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