(ANS - Ljubljana) - The Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime is in Slovenia from 12 to 16 November for a visit at the conclusion of the celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.

The Rector Major arrived this morning, Thursday, at the airport in Ljubljana, and then went to Trstenik to greet the elderly and sick Salesians. In the early afternoon, he will pay a brief visit to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Ljubljana Rakovnik, and meet with the members of the community. Then at Želimlje, Fr Á.F. Artime will give a talk to about 200 young people who attend the senior school and the Salesian boarding school.

Tomorrow, 13 November, he will be at Ljubljana Rakovnik for the ‘Day of the Confreres’, a day of retreat for the Salesians of the Slovenian Province. The Rector Major will give a conference and will celebrate Mass. In the afternoon there will be a meeting with the Provincial Council.

On 14 November, also in Ljubljana Rakovnik, there will be the ‘Salesian Family Day’ with meetings, discussions and questions to the Rector Major by the members of the Salesian Family. During the celebration of the Eucharist two new members will make their promise as Salesian Cooperators. In the afternoon Fr Á.F. Artime will meet with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and then attend a stage show entitled "I live for you".

The main celebration for the conclusion of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco will be in Maribor on 15 November. It will include the blessing of the first shrine dedicated to Don Bosco in Slovenia. Music will be provided by about 300 young people belonging to different choirs gathered for the occasion.

The departure of the Rector Major from Ljubljana is scheduled for Monday 16 November.

Published 12/11/2015