Provincial welcome BAP

San Paolo (Brazil). On 19 March 2022, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, in the chapel of St Inês School in San Paul, the Eucharistic Celebration of welcome and beginning of the service of animation and government of the Provincial of Our Lady Aparecida Province (BAP) was held for Sr. Alaíde Deretti, General Councilor for the missions from 2008 to 2021.

Fr. Justo Ernesto Piccinini, Salesian of Don Bosco, Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province of San Paolo (BSP) presided over the celebration, concelebrated by the Provincials of S. Alfonso M. De ‘Liguori Province of Campo Grande (BCG), Fr. Ricardo Carlos, and of the San Pio X Province of Porto Alegre (BPA), Fr. Gilson Marcos da Silva.

At the Mass in which was celebrated also the 50^th anniversary of religious life of Sr. Alaide, present were the FMA of the Provincial Council, some members of the Salesian Family – FMA, SDB, Past pupils, Salesian Cooperators – young people in formation, lay collaborators, family members, and friends of the Provincial.

In his homily, the Provincial, commenting on the readings, addressed Sr. Alaide as follows, “Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron saint of the universal Church. His name means ‘God adds’ and teaches us to be open to God’s plans. He is adding something more to everything you already do, so that you can continue to give great service. Accept God’s designs even in silence and in the midst of doubts, trust and you will be able to see the wonders that God works in all those who trust Him”.

At the conclusion of the Celebration, the young women in formation, wearing the T-shirt with the logo of the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the FMA Institute, animated a brief choreography based on the Hymn, in homage to the new Provincial, who thanked with a message:

“Thank you for your presence and for the support shown. Despite the pandemic, we are gradually able to meet face to face and this helps us and will help us to walk in communion, being promoters of hope.

I thank God that there are so many of us walking together, because I certainly cannot do anything alone. Don Bosco always stressed the importance of being many, of being a great movement, because in reciprocity we animate each other and together the horizon can be seen better.

Starting this service of animation and government on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph is both a challenge and a certainty. Challenge in the sense of taking care of life, following his example, in a simple and attentive style, in the total gift of self, to promote life and hope in the heart of every person and community. The certainty is ours that we have a Patron-Protector who, just as he took care of Mary with love and dedicated himself with commitment to the education of Jesus, he also watches over, cares for, and protects each one of us.

May he also be the ‘guardian’ of Our Lady Aparecida Province and of all of Brazil, helping us to live in constant attention to God, to His signs, and be available to the Lord’s plan, so that all may ‘have life and have it in abundance’.

Alongside St. Giuseppe is Mary. She keeps telling us, ‘Do whatever He tells you’. With Joseph and Mary it is possible to experience the Miracle of NEW WINE, of GOOD WINE, because we are all ready to give the best of ourselves to re-signify the Charism in our reality, to give fruitfulness to the Salesian mission”.

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