(ANS - Montevideo) - On 21 October, the Council of Montevideo paid tribute to Don Bosco and the whole Salesian community, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Salesians.

by Emiliano Del Puerto

The benches of the Assembly Hall of the Council were crowded with dozens of members. In the audience there was a large representation of young people of the "Movimiento Tacuru". Thanks to a 1992 agreement between the Superintendent of Montevideo and the Salesian youth association, they have been involved in the cleaning and care of the roads.

Councillor Darwin Belza of the Partido Nacional was the convener and the first to speak at the session.  He stressed the importance of the playground as an educational environment in Salesian schools and highlighted the work of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Councillor Cristina Ruffo, from the Partito de la Concertación gave a chronological account of the presence of the Salesians in Uruguay, since their arrival in 1876. She highlighted the collaboration between past pupils and religious to keep the ideas of Don Bosco alive today.

Councillor Gimena Urta of Frente Amplio spoke with great emotion acknowledging that she was herself a Salesian past pupil. She recalled in detail how Don Bosco had started the festive oratories in 1842, as a place to support and train young people coming out of the Turin prisons in the nineteenth century. The councillor also recalled the importance that the saint attributed to communication, from publications to fraternal dialogue and artistic expressions, seeing it always as a service to the educational mission. Alluding to the impossibility of summarizing in a few minutes the life and work of Don Bosco, Councillor Urta concluded her speech with a quote: "We work as if we were never to die, and we live as if we were to die at any moment."

Councillor Daniel Villamil of the Partido Nacional emphasized the value of the Preventive System and the expansion of the Salesian work over time.

Finally, Councillor Mariano Arana, of Frente Amplio recalled the commitment of the Congregation in countering the idea that "young people born in a context that leads to lawlessness are beyond redemption."

He supported again the idea of ​​the Council to continue to support, as Don Bosco wanted, the poorest young people: "Sweeping the streets is a task that merits dignity, as are all the other tasks they perform on their own initiative. In the public sector we have an obligation to give recognition to this dignity."

Published 04/10/2015