In the morning of Sunday 20 April, accompanied by his Vicar, Fr Adriano Bregolin, and by the two Regional Councillors for America South Cone and Italy-Middle East, Fr Natale Vitali and Fr Pier Fausto Frisoli, the Rector Major went to the Salesian parish in Venda Nova do Imigrante, dedicated to St Peter.
Here he celebrated Mass for the Vth Sunday of Easter attended by many parishioners and members of the Salesian Family. Many Salesians who had come specially from various houses in the Province to Venda Nova, a city noted for the large number of descendents of Italian immigrants, were also present to meet the successor of Don Bosco.
In his homily Fr Chávez said how necessary it is to follow Jesus. “Jesus is the one to follow, ... to walk behind, ... not because he is a teacher who shows us how to be happy; … He is the Way the Truth and the Life.”
At the end of the celebration the Rector Major met the Salesians from the Province of Belo Horizonte with Fr Ovidio Zancanella, the outgoing Provincial who in these days had accompanied the Rector Major and the other Councillors on their journey. As well as answering some questions, Fr Chávez spoke to those present about his impressions of the 26th General Chapter just finished a week ago, and his expectations. For the Rector Major it is important that the GC26, which was an event, a document and a spirit, should now become part of the life and the pastoral activity of the Salesians.
Afterwards, Fr Chávez also met representatives of the various groups of the Salesian Family and some young people from the houses and associations in the Province. The Rector Major reminded them how necessary it was for the Family founded by Don Bosco to work together as a single movement. The atmosphere was very spontaneous and cordial, and there were a variety of marks of affection and gratitude for the successor of Don Bosco.
Published 21/04/2008
