(ANS – Torino) – Committed to Rome, where he is celebrating the 4th World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators, the Rector Major made himself present with a message at the Conference taking place in Turin, at the International Institute Don Bosco, that celebrates 75 years of the Faculty of Theology (FT) of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) of Rome and, at the same time, the figure of the Venerable Fr. Giuseppe Quadrio indicated the kind of teacher and trainer who is professionally and spiritually prepared.

Greeting the Church and academic authorities present - including the Card. Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, Mons. Nosiglia, Archbishop of Turin, and Fr Nanni, Rector Magnifico of UPS – Fr Chavez developed the two themes of the celebration.

The desire of Don Rua to regularize the cultural and moral education of the priests of the new Congregation was begun by concretely and firmly setting out the terms with his successors. In fact, in 1923, Blessed Don Rinaldi, opened the International Institute Don Bosco in Turin, in Crocetta; and with Don Ricaldone who was born in 1937, the Faculty of Theology, which along with that of Philosophy and of Canon Law, formed in 1940, the Salesian Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome in 1965 and which later became a University.

At the Turin Seat of the Faculty of Theology, "the first sprout of what would become the UPS", the Salesians were formed who have had prominent roles in the life of the Congregation and of the Church: Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State; Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong; Cardinal Farina, Archivist and Librarian Emeritus of the Holy Roman Church, formerly Dean of the Faculty of Theology and 12 years Rector Magnifico of UPS; Cardinal Alfons Maria Stickler; Don Vecchi, VIII successor of Don Bosco. Here also, Cardinal Javierre Ortas, a Dean and Rector Magnifico of the Faculty of Theology, was taught.

A past that extends into the present, because the Faculty of Theology of the UPS, diverse in its offices and institutes "is called upon to continue to provide a quality service, in close collaboration with other Faculties, especially to new spiritual and pastoral needs of young people and the urgent needs of the formation of vocations".

Then the Rector Major focused on the figure of the Venerable Fr Giuseppe Quadrio whose "testimony of life and thought constitute a valuable point of reference for understanding the meaning of the Salesian priestly formation".

Despite being a qualified and esteemed scholar of theology, he believed that a teacher should be saint and to his students said, "and I apologize to you for not being one!". Don Quadrio is a wonderful synthesis of theological and spiritual competence.

"The 'priest from the smile of the child ', as Fr Quadrio was aptly named, was deeply rooted in the Paschal mystery of the Lord. – wrote the Rector Major - The joy and serenity that was transmitted to all those he met were born from a deep immersion in the heart of Christ. The urgency of sanctity was the secret of his life and the inspirational light of his theological doctrine ".

Waiting for his beatification – that he be presented authoritatively to the Church as a model for teachers and candidates for the priesthood - Fr Chavez indicated the example he is for teachers of the UPS, its Departments and its aggregated Centres and affiliates of the Venerable figure: "may they be inspired by him in deep spiritual life that longs for holiness; living the devotion to study, to research and to teaching as true Salesian mission;  be aware that their task must always be inspired by formative and pastoral aims towards their students and readers; take his gentleness, kindness, politeness, joy as a style of relationship and of dialogue. The time that teachers dedicate themselves to spiritual life is not subtracted from studying, but is the condition of effectiveness; thereby asking for his intercession to live the grace of unity ".

Salesian students of theology wished that "they will be able to draw from the richness of his writing, his life and look to him as a model priest, invoking his intercession in preparation for the priesthood. They commit themselves to the study of theology, enrich their spiritual life, their pastoral activity, nourish their understanding of faith and their culture ".

In conclusion he noted how the phrase that Don Bosco wrote to a confrère – Study and Piety make you a true Salesian – posted then at the beginning of the Motu Proprio "Magisterium Vitae " with which in 1973, Paul VI conferred the Pontifical Athenaeum of Salesian Pontifical University "I have found in the life of the Venerable Fr Giuseppe Quadrio an exemplary achievement. It is a programme that we need to continually inspire us in our personal lives, as well as in promoting our academic institutions ".

Published 10/11/2012