(ANS - Rome) - "You are very welcome. This is your house. It is and will remain our common home." So said the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, last night when he gave the Good Night at the end of the first of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days.  There were embraces, smiles and an abundance of Salesian joy at the start of the gathering.

After the welcome address by the Rector Major and the introduction to the programme of the Spirituality Days by the Coordinator, Fr José Pastor Ramírez, World Delegate for the Past Pupils, the participants went straight to work with a panel discussion on the theme: "Like Don Bosco - a charism of evangelization."

The first speaker was Fr Giuseppe Buccellato. He stressed the importance of being communities open to transmitting the charism to those close to us in our Salesian environments, and he debunked some common myths concerning Don Bosco. Next was Sister Piera Ruffinatto who helped to deepen the theme from a pedagogical-missionary perspective. Quoting John Paul II, she reminded her listeners that "Christian education is first and foremost a way of love, a ministry of collaboration with God, and a beautiful exercise of ecclesial motherhood." Fr Jesús Manuel García spoke of the originality of the spirituality proposed by Don Bosco - not as a system of doctrine, but as a "type" of Christian life - and the issues that his spirituality faces today in trying to form not only good Christians but also honest citizens, in a world of religious indifference.

The video of the Salesian Family was then shown. In it each of the 30 groups currently recognized were represented as well as the work they do within the Church. "This video is a gift of the Rector Major to the Salesian Family," said Fr Pastor Ramirez. “It is available in five languages (Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese) and will be of use to anyone who wishes to present the family of Don Bosco and his work in the Church." It can be downloaded at the following link.

Luca Pontassuglia, the young artist who designed the poster for the Strenna 2015, spoke and explained that what had struck him most was “the presence of Don Bosco among the young people in a risky place with no protection. He is there only to accompany them, and with them he challenges the world." Finally he confessed: "The young man with whom I identify is the one with the white hat and red jacket, the Magone of the group. He is looking at Don Bosco as if to ask 'what are you doing here and how did you come among us?' This is what many young people need today."

Finally, Fr Á.F. Artime gave the Good Night to all present. He said the Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family are an occasion for communion and unity. Our gaze is fixed on "Jesus who unites us”.  Young people are the second fundamental axis indicating the way forward for the Salesian Family - after Jesus in fact.

A video summary of the first day is available on ANSChannel.

Published 16/01/2015