As is customary, at the end of the morning the Rector Major presided at Mass in the Chapel of the Generalate. Present at the Mass were all the members of the community as well as the Superior of the Vice Province of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Roma, Fr Joaquim D’Souza; the  Rector of the University Fr Carlo Nanni; the Rectors of the community of San Callisto and of San Tarcisio, Fr Elio Torrigiani and Fr Maurizio Verlezza; and the Rector of the Salesian community in Vatican City, Fr Pietro Migliasso and most of the Provincials who has attended the recent Course.

Speaking at the beginning of the Mass  the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Adriano Bregolin, expressing as he offered Fr Chávez best wishes, the closeness in thoughts and prayers of the Congregation and of the Salesian Family, thanking the Rector Major  for his great dedication.

In his homily  Fr Chávez, reflecting on various stages of his life from infancy up to the past year in the life of the Congregation and in the light of the liturgy of the day , referring the Strenna for 2010 said: “We asked to see Jesus and we have seen him!”

The Rector Major then mentioned several special events from the past year : the centenary of the death of Don Rua, the meeting of Salesian bishops, the IV World Assembly of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, the floods in Pakistan and the shadows cast on the Congregation, which, together with the whole Church has been the object of accusations; with these moments between light and shade have marked this year and shown how the following of Christ requires commitment and sacrifice.

In view of the Strenna for 201i on the need for vocation ministry  Fr  Chávez recalled the enthusiasm with which he followed his Salesian vocation: “I feel called, to life, to the faith, to follow Don Bosco”.

Finally the Rector Major made a strong appeal to live deeply a spirit of conversion: to God, with an authentic consecrated life; to Don Bosco, with fidelity to the charism and to the Preventive System; and to the young, with a constant service full of love.

The celebrations will continue into the afternoon; among the expected guests is also
Magdi Cristiano Allam.

Published 20/12/2010