(ANS – Fatima) – The Salesian Family, committed lay people,and the Salesian Youth Movement in Portugal came together on 12 January in Fatima for the traditional day for presenting the Rector Major's Strenna.

More than 800 people attended the event held in the large Paul VI Centre auditorium. It began with morning prayer and a welcome to all who attended, led by the Salesian Family Delegate, Fr Jerónimo da Rocha Monteiro.

Then there was a brief presentation of the Strenna theme – Like Don Bosco the educator, we offer young people the Gospel of joy through a pedagogy of kindness – by the Provincial of the Salesian Sisters (FMA), Sr Maria das Dores Rodrigues. At the end of her presentation the video comment on the Strenna was projected. Then Fr Artur Pereira, Salesian Provincial presided over a round table meeting with representatives of other Salesian Family Groups. Each one told how the Strenna could help application in that Group of the Preventive System of Don Bosco.

Fr José Aníbal Mendonça, Youth Ministry Delegate presented two versions of the three lives written by Don Bosco ( Dominic Savio, Francis Besucco and Michael Magone), with commentary by Fr Aldo Giraudo. Publication and distribution of this work is by “Edições Salesianas” Portugal.

In the afternoon participants were entertained by a session of art and faith on the knowledge of the life and work of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. There were theatrical and musical performances, dance and choreography, made possible by the zeal and commitment of the educational community of the FMA Arcozelo, Porto.

At the end of the day in the chapel in the Crypt at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity Fr Pereira celebrated Mass. During his homily he offered some proposals for this second year of preparation for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, saying: “we can be active contributors to a new world if, like Don Bosco the educator, we offer young people the Gospel of joy through a pedagogy of kindness”.

Published 16/01/2013