The Basilica in Valdocco, which Don Bosco wanted to be a sign of gratitude to the Madonna considered as the real Founder of the Congregation and of the whole Salesian Family once again this year was the goal of many pilgrimages. The Rector Fr Franco Lotto and his co-workers welcomed many of the faithful in the days leading up to today the 24 May as they paid homage to “Don Bosco’s Madonna.” The solemn procession, winding round the Salesian mother house, was preceded by the Mass at which Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Major of the Salesians presided attended by the Salesian Youth Movement and by the Salesian Family.
In his homily, quoting the latest book by Benedict XVI, the Rector Major recalled that the Salesian apostolic mission “flows from the exercise of the sovereignty of the Risen Lord, who has given to us as our mission territory the world, the whole world and not just that of the young. It is this mission, which Don Bosco began to develop here at Valdocco, which is at the heart of the Church and places us totally at the service of its mission.” The sovereignty of the Risen Lord becomes the criterion by which we can understand history and creation. Commenting on the “Arab spring”, which exploded at the end of January thanks to the protagonism of the young, and its still uncertain outcome after four moths, and the natural and nuclear disaster in Japan, the IX successor of Don Bosco recalled that “Our live understood as witness and mission, ought to lead to hope, to the safeguarding of creation, to the renewal of the world, to peace and to reconciliation and freedom.” Later he remarked: “The hoped-for changes, the aspirations and the ideals of the men and women of our times can neither be delayed nor betrayed by those who at all costs want to retain power or to impose new regimes under the pretext of establishing stability in society.”
In times like the present which are not easy, Mary guides and protects. Don Bosco was firmly convinced that Mary was at his side and that she guided and inspired his life. “To Mary we turn as ‘a people on the march,’ as Christians who every day face life’s battles trying to understand our lives according to the heart of God.” Fr Chávez then mentioned four approaches typical if Mary which the faithful are called to imitate: a life of faith, concern for those in need, fidelity under trial and joy at the marvels which the Father accomplishes.
The passage from the Gospel about the marriage feast at Cana read at the Mass, teaches us to share the worries of others to be attentive to their needs, to discover the presence of Jesus and to turn to him being believers and being credible. “The greatness of Mary, above all, according the evangelist, lay in her ability to notice, in addition to the problem of the young couple, the presence of Jesus and to point towards him: ‘Do what he tells you.’”
“All of us dear Brothers and Sisters, who have received the gift of an education full of values which are authentically human and Christian, are called to be this new wine. People capable of spreading the good which we have experienced and which has shaped our lives and of showing the faith which enlightens our hearts. In this way we shall be, if we imitate u in our lives “the way in which Mary was and lived.”
The full text of the homily in Italian is available on sdb.org.
Published 24/05/2011
