Rome (Italy). The XXXIX edition of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days (GSFS) closes on January 17, 2021, with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
Present at the celebration are the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Yvonne Reungoat; the Vicar General, Sister Chiara Cazzuola; the General Councilor for the Salesian Family, Sister Maria Luisa Miranda; the World Delegate of the FMA Past Pupils Association, Sr. Gabriela Patiño Osorio; the World Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators Association (ASSCC), Sr. Lucrecia Uribe; and other Superiors of Congregations and Heads of Groups of the Salesian Family.
The GSFS, which took place online from 15 to 17 January, saw a large participation of members of the 32 Groups of the Salesian Family present in more than 130 countries and of people linked to Salesian realities around the world, who followed the work on the theme of Strenna 2021: “Moved by hope:” Behold, I make all things new” (Ap 21:5).
In his homily, the Rector Major stressed the significance of the closure of the GSFS in the Basilica where Don Bosco spent his last energies and where he celebrated the Eucharist a few months before his death. Commenting on the Sunday Gospel, in which the disciples ask Jesus to show them where He lives (Jn 1: 35-42), Fr. Angel addresses the Assembly and the participants in live streaming: “This is our mission as a Salesian Family: we are called to follow Him in our daily life, according to our specific vocation. We are called to focus on what gives fullness to our life. Today we, Salesian Family of Don Bosco, want to be the disciples who listen to Jesus who says: ‘Come and see’.”
As a final gesture of entrustment, the Rector Major approached the altar where Don Bosco, celebrating the Eucharist on May 16, 1887, burst into tears several times, realizing that Mary ‘had done everything’ in his life. Fr. Alejandro Guevara, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the SF, read the final statement:
“At this moment, in front of the altar of Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, feeling we are a Family, we must thank each other for the collaboration of all, for the participation of thousands of sisters and brothers who have followed the work of the Days throughout the world and for the most precious thing that gives profound meaning: to rekindle together the sense of Salesian hope in order to continue to generate hope in the world with the spirit of Don Bosco… We are convinced that the Lord makes all things new. The newness that He generates in us must lead us to say to the new generations: come and see. Looking at Christ with the eyes of Mary and looking at the reality of our world with the eyes of Don Bosco must give new wings to our Family, which wants to be a sign of hope for all. ”
The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, concluded the Eucharistic Celebration with the Solemn Blessing through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians for the whole Salesian Family.
