(ANS – Wyboston) – Yesterday, 6 May, marked the end of a retreat for the Salesian Family of the Great Britain Province. The retreat began on the evening of Friday 3rd May. The preacher was the Rector Major who, together with his Vicar Fr Adrian Bregolin, guided the participants through some moments of reflection and fraternal sharing.

Participants included 50 Salesians of Don Bosco, 50 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, 25 Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils and 25 young people, mostly volunteers who are engaged in the Salesian works of the Province.

The Rector Major dealt with several themes:

• The Year of Faith, based on the Apostolic Letter “Porta fidei” of Benedict XVI;
• The conditions for following Jesus: accepting his call and living as disciples in intimacy with him, and a commitment to live the mission by proclaiming the good news;
• Mary, as model of the believer;
• Educating young people to the faith;
• Salesian spirituality.

The Rector Major presented a copy of the Spiritual and Charismatic Identity Card of the Salesian Family to each of the participants.

The display that accompanied the recent pilgrimage of the urn of Don Bosco to the United Kingdom was on view during the Retreat. The panels, in addition to illustrating significant moments in the life of Don Bosco, also presented characteristics of his spirituality and, in particular, the “ Salesian Beatitudes”:  

1. Blessed are those who build their lives upon God.
2. Blessed are those who have a great desire to build the Kingdom of God.
3. Blessed are those who build community.
4. Blessed are those who are open to all that life offers.
5. Blessed are those who are cheerful and optimistic.
6. Blessed are those who show loving-kindness.
7. Blessed are those who take care of the poor and the little ones.
8. Blessed are those who have a grateful heart.

The Retreat was lived in an atmosphere of prayer and deep fraternity. Some of the young people who took part showed great openness to a vocation to the consecrated life in the Salesian family.

Published 07/05/2013