(ANS - Rome) - Our great spiritual family has come together at the beginning of the year to reflect, share, plan and journey together - this is what is meant by the Salesian Family Spirituality Days. They are now in their 34th year. They will open this afternoon, 14 January, at the Salesianum in Rome, and will run until next Sunday, 17 January.

The gathering will be attended by around 370 people, representing 21 of the 30 groups that make up the Salesian Family. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, will be present at all sessions over the four days, as well as members of his General Council. Among the superiors or heads of the various religious groups that are expected to attend are Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, with the sisters of her General Council; Sr Teresia Furuki Ryoko, Mother General of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus; and Darwin Petit, leader of the Volunteers with Don Bosco.

The programme of the 2016 Salesian Family Spirituality Days begins with Mass at which Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Spiritual Animator of the Association of Mary Help of Christians, will preside. Then the Rector Major and his Delegate for the Salesian Family, Fr Eusebio Muñoz, will welcome the participants and introduce the programme. The first working session will then begin straight away. This first session will be moderated by Renato Cursi and Maria Benedetta Michelazzo, a young married couple active in pastoral work with and for young people.

The study of the Strenna for 2016 - "With Jesus, we journey together in an adventure of the Spirit" - then begins with a reflection by Fr Francesco Natale, SDB, pastoral theologian, on the adventure of being a pilgrim.

In the evening the video of the Bicentenary will be shown and the Rector Major will give the traditional Salesian "Good Night".

"We belong to a charismatic family that has made an interesting journey ... we are aware of the rich heritage that we have received. Let us ensure that these days become a song of thanksgiving to God and to the many people who have given us such an unmerited inheritance." This is the hope and wish of Father Muñoz.

The talks of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days are available on the website sdb.org.

Published 14/1/2016