(ANS – Rome) – During the weekend 24 to 26 February at the “Saint Tarcisius” community in Rome, those on practical training from the six Italian Salesian Provinces met together in Rome to share their experiences and to deepen their knowledge of Don Bosco.

The first day was spent getting to know each other and sharing experiences in groups In the evening the young Salesians from the Sicily Province organised some games and there was also a Via Crucis in the cloisters of the house.

On Saturday morning  Fr Maurizio Verlezza, the Rector of Saint Tarcisius, led a short “Lectio Divina” on the gospel of the day, in which he reminded those present that the young people we are concerned with are not looking for good young Saleians but want to see Jesus  and they only meet him through genuine wholesome witness. Afterwards the discussions continued: individual experiences led to the drawing up of some of the common features, the more important needs and the aspects of community life that are more challenging.

In the first afternoon the group went to the Vatican, where the new Director of the Vatican Press, Fr Sergio Pellini, welcomed them and gave them a conducted tour of the Basilica of Saint Peter, the Salesian house in the Vatican and the Press where the “Osservatore Romano” is printed.

In the evening they visited another important Salesian centre in the city the Sacred Heart.  Fr Salvatore Policino, explained with enthusiasm the apostolic activity of the community, especially that with disadvantaged young people, the accompaniment and support for the young immigrants and for the homeless and out of work, living on the streets. Fr Policino reminded the young Salesians that in working for the poor it was not themselves at the centre but the persons in need, and that through their witness they could be a sign of the Church which cares for her suffering children.

Before the day ended they were able to say an affectionate good bye to Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, who has since left for his new role as Provincial in Chile and to visit the renovated rooms in the Sacred Heart  where Don Bosco stayed in 1887 for the inauguration of the Basilica. Through a recently installed film and photographic service it is possible to come to know better  Don Bosco’s time in Rome and the places he visited.

On Sunday morning 26, after a short time together in Province groups the young Saleians took part in the Sunday Mass at which Bishop Enrico dal Covolo SDB presided. In his homily he spoke about Lent and recalled that at the heart of the Salesian charism is  apostolic charity, nourished by prayer, fasting and love for one’s neighbour in particular for the young

The weekend gave the young Salesians a real sense of belonging to the Congregation and they thanked the Lord for their vocation.

Published 07/03/2012