“La Valponasca was a strategic place in‘Main’s life. That is where she matured as a human being, in her affections, family, professionally and especially spiritually”, Sr Canales said as she then took up the second core theme for the `Confronto`: The Church. “Our renewed awareness of being the Salesian Youth Movement invites us over these days to deepen our appreciation of the way to live out the Gospel according to Salesian spirituality: You can see it alive here in Mornese too, by going back over the experience of the young Mary Domenica. Being members of the Church demands that we live out the role Jesus has entrusted to us in first person: serving the Kingdom of God”.
There was silence for a good part of the morning, while the young people look out of the same countryside that “Main” saw from the window of her home in Valponasca. The scene led to the depths of dialogue with God.
In the afternoon there was a visit to the FMA Institute in Mornese and places tied to Mary Domenica`s life: The house, the parish and the Mazzarelli.
Fr José Miguel Nuñez Moreno, Councillor for West Europe was main celebrant for the Mass. He handed over to three young people during his homily, to offer a summary of their meditations.
Benjamin, a novice from Lyon, shared his amazement at discovering the Salesianity of Mother Mazzarello experienced as intimacy and a spirit inclined to God rather than through exuberant gestures. Elisa, a leader from Sicily, highlighted the complementarity of Mother Mazzarello`s and Don Bosco`s mission. They followed the same objective but in specific ways that need to be preserved today as well. Borja, a young Spaniard, saw summed up in Mother Mazzarello`s gaze and invitation to listen to and interpret God`s will to be builders of the Church.
Fr Nuñez finished up with a remark that would not have left any of his young listeners unmoved: “Give me a group of courageous young believers and we will change the world”. Will that now become a challenge for young courageous European believers in the Third Millennium?
Today, 14 August, the Confronto 09 will move to Valdocco, Turin, at the heart of the experience lived and proposed by Don Bosco. The playground, the soul of the Salesian style, and the third core theme to be developed by the young people as they visit the Pinardi chapel, Don Bosco’s rooms, the Church of St Francis of Sales and the basilicia of Mary Help of Christians.
Published 14/08/2009
