(ANS - Genzano di Roma) - The preparation that brought 19 young people to be part of the Salesian Congregation ended on September 8: from Spain, Italy, Hungary, Croatia and Portugal, for a whole year they were guided by Fr Raffaele Panno, the Master of Novices. The Rector Major has welcomed these new confreres thanking them for having responded generously to the call of God by serving the poorest young people and encouraged them to this choice of life that strives to overcome all forms of mediocrity.

In the parish church of Genzano di Roma packed with young people, the 19 new Salesians were welcomed by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, in the presence of the superiors of the provinces to which they belong, and the more than 80 priests concelebrating.

The Rector Major in his homily, expressed a heartfelt thanks to this event that enriches the Church and the Congregation: Thanks be to God, to parents, families and to the young people responding generously to the call of God, place themselves at the service of the poorest young people. Turning specifically to the parents he declared that they do not lose a son, but have secured him for a lifetime.

Fr Fernández Artime encouraged his new confreres to this way of life that strives to overcome all forms of mediocrity, "because the Christian life, if lived with mediocrity, it's a scam." "You have chosen to wear the white robe as a sign of baptism that expresses this transformation, the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus. Marvellous! But do you know that from now on you have to wear it always and in every place, at home, on the street, in the playgrounds, in the classroom, in church, in the digital world ... always and everywhere! This will be the living of the Gospel radicalism prescribed by the 27th General Chapter."

"Today you make the religious profession that consists in responding positively to the call made by God the Father to follow Jesus more closely and be led by the Holy Spirit. Today you say the fundamental words about your life that is completely offered to Him. Today you assent to work hard and give all your energy for the Salesian mission, that is, to the poorest young people; to live in fraternal communion and, like Jesus, obedient, poor and chaste. Finally, today you solemnly commit yourselves to be available and to be truly free from everything, even from yourself, to become true missionary disciples of the young."

Referring to a hymn composed in the year of novitiate, the Rector Major concluded: "You say in your hymn of the novitiate that 'you're like everyone else, but Jesus asks you a step forward'. Here, do it! And we all pray and we will pray so that this step of meeting, of transformation and of fecundity in fruitful abundance be faithful and rich for the young people who are waiting for you. "

Posted on 09/09/2014