(ANS - Rome)- Today, 3 September, sees the publication of the Fourth Issue of Dear Confreres, themessage of the Rector Major of the Salesians to his SDB confreres and members of the Salesian Family. We should bear in mind that in many provinces this year of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco is still drawing to an end. In this edition Fr Á.F. Artime highlights the concluding events of the year that started on 16 August 2015.  He also draws attention to the external or celebratory aspect and the deep inner personal experience.

"I think the goal we had for this Bicentenary was achieved in large part. We have spoken about the external, celebratory part which undoubtedly went well. There were hundreds of events. At the same time there was another challenge which was to interiorize the celebration through a profound personal experience and this is evidently something each one of us must evaluate," says the Rector Major.

He adds, "I have no doubt, and I have great hope, that this was a very special year in our journey of Salesian life. I am convinced that the fruit of the bicentenary is not the past. It starts now for each of us, in our lives."

Finally, Fr Á.F. Artime refers to the two messages that Pope Francis sent to the Salesian Family for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco, emphasizing basically the challenge in times of crisis to provide appropriate responses, those most needed by the world and by young people.

The message of the Rector Major is available at: ANSChannel

Published 03/09/2015