(ANS - Rome) - Yesterday 29 April, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime went to the St. Louis Versiglia Salesian International Novitiate at Genzano in Rome.  It was his first visit as Rector Major to a formation house. He met the novices and novice masters from Genzano and Pinerolo, and all the pre-novices from the Italian provinces together with their formation personnel.

They met first of all in the playground, where Fr Leonardo Mancini, Provincial of Central Italy, welcomed the Rector Major, and Fr Guido Errico introduced the different groups. The novices and pre-novices then had an opportunity to meet the Rector Major. They began with a game called, "You will be a fisher of men."

The novices from Pinerolo then performed their novitiate hymn: "I have chosen you; remain in my love." The Rector Major said that for him this was a day of celebration, different from his daily routine of office work and appointments. He spoke with warmth and simplicity, highlighting the importance of service. He invited the young people in formation to have a heart capable of serving with humility, and to become Salesians with a fatherly heart.

The Rector Major stressed the importance of accompaniment on their growth journey to help them to sense the nearness of God and of Don Bosco. He repeated that he was always happy to be a Salesian. Recounting the story of his own vocation journey, he revealed that he had many other opportunities, but seeing the style of the Salesians, he asked himself, "Why not me?"

He urged them not to be afraid when they hear the call of God, adding that parents should not be afraid of the vocation of a child. We should leave everything in the hands of God and the intercession of Don Bosco.

After the Rector Major’s talk, the Genzano novices presented their novitiate hymn, "I am the vine, you are the branches."  There was still time for a quick exchange with the Rector Major. He answered three specific questions that helped the novices and pre-novices to clarify their vocational motivation.

The fraternal dialogue ended with a prayer and then Mass in honour of St. Catherine of Siena, Patroness of Italy. During his homily, the Rector Major said that he was firmly convinced of the maternal presence of Mary: "Her motherhood is a reflection of the tender love of our God who is a Father with a mother's heart."

Before he returned to Rome, the novices gave the Rector Major a booklet with the signatures of all the participants. Fr Fernandez Artime was pleased with the gift and jokingly said that it must be taken into account when appointing new Rectors and Provincials.

Published 30/05/2014