The 'strennas' are a tradition started by St John Bosco in 1859, awaited every year eagerly by millions of young people and also renewed by the 10th Successor of the founder of the Salesians. Ángel Fernández Artime, leading the Salesian Family since 2014, has authored ten Strenna publications during his tenure. "Compiling them holds the significance of a concluding endeavor," explains his secretary, Fr Giuseppe Costa, in the preface of the book "Called to Love with Hope." As the host of the program "Radio Vaticana con Voi," he presents the cardinal's ten messages to readers.
The first Strenna, that of 2015, is entitled 'Like Don Bosco, with the young, for the young'. Cardinal Fernández Artime describes it as "a proposition of communion," which he deems "a beautiful spiritual inheritance," as it remains at the core of the saint's teachings. In this passage, the newly appointed Rector Major emphasizes the Salesian charism, highlighting "that joyful expression, which served as his life's motto," namely, "it is enough that you are young for me to love you."
The following year the strenna 'With Jesus! Let us go on the adventure of the spirit together' retraced the months that had passed, those of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth. Fernández Artime emphasizes the significance of "collaboratively planning the youth mission entrusted to us as the Salesian Family," aiming to imbue it with the spirituality that sustains us. He stresses that "with Jesus" implies recognizing that "only through Jesus, in Jesus, and from Jesus can we embark on a transformative journey for our lives." Simply being drawn to Him is insufficient; what's needed is a "personal friendship with the Master," guiding young people towards the pursuit of holiness.
In the following two years, the two strennas invite Salesians to be truly family, making 'every home a school of life and love'. In 2017, the theme revolves around the family, while the subsequent year focuses on two pivotal verbs: listen and accompany. The decision to highlight the family theme stems from the two Synods dedicated by the Pope to the family, culminating in the 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. The strenna emphasizes the conviction that the family serves as a tangible human reality where the art of Life and Love is cultivated. Additionally, it underscores the Salesian Family's commitment to fostering a spirit of familial unity as an integral aspect of our identity. Hence, there's an invitation to approach Amoris Laetitia with a calm and open heart, prepared for dialogue and encounter.
The theme for 2018, 'Let us cultivate the art of listening and accompanying,' follows the continuity from the previous year. It begins with an invitation to reflect on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, where unbiased listening fosters genuine welcome and personal connection. This practice of attentive listening then leads to what Cardinal Fernández Artime refers to as "the gift of discernment," which is nurtured by the three verbs highlighted by the Pope: recognizing, interpreting, and ultimately choosing. Throughout this process, Don Bosco serves as a model to emulate.
"Holiness also for you" is the title of the Rector Major's strenna 2019. Once again, the inspiration for the theme comes from Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, which emphasizes the call to holiness in today's world. The Pope's vision of holiness is portrayed as "an urgent call to the modern world and the Church to embrace life as a vocation and journey towards holiness." This holiness is depicted as a path of "embracing one's responsibilities, interests, and affections in charity," leading to a "journey of humanization" ultimately culminating in "the complete flourishing of humanity."
Twelve months later it is one of Don Bosco's best-known statements that gives the title to the Strenna for the new year: 'Good Christians and Honest Citizens'. The reflection begins with a premise: "We cannot exist in a state of inertia, detached from life, justice, and equal opportunities." From this, arises the necessity of introducing Don Bosco's educational paradigm to young individuals of all faiths, emphasizing the importance of "moving beyond oneself, engaging in civil service, including political involvement," advocating for human rights, and consistently prioritizing "integrity and ethical conduct."
Hope and love are two of the key words of the following two-year strennas. The title of the message for 2021 is "Moved by Hope," followed by "Do everything out of love, nothing by force" for the subsequent year. Hope is intimately tied to the context of the pandemic, particularly evoked by "that man, dressed in white," as described by the Rector Major, "standing alone on the vast expanse of St. Peter's Square, on the rainy evening of March 27, 2020, as the sun set." This refers to Pope Francis' prayer for the end of Covid-19. "Through that gesture," it continues, "he reminded our diverse world, comprising various ethnicities, cultures, nations, and religions, that God possesses the power to transform even the most devastating and agonizing realities into something good." Consequently, hope is portrayed as more than mere wishful thinking or optimism; it entails commitment and trust.
In 2022, the reflection commences with the commemoration of the fourth centenary of the passing of St. Francis de Sales, noting how "Don Bosco, like no other, adeptly translated the spiritual vigor of St. Francis de Sales into the evangelization and education of children." Both figures instruct us that "nothing should be imposed forcefully," emphasizing the necessity for "gentleness, a tender touch" to "approach everything with love," and to seek "the presence of God within the hearts of humanity," facilitated by prayer and "spiritual guidance."
The penultimate Strenna is entitled "As yeast in today's human family". The analogy of yeast is employed to underscore the notion that "leaven operates quietly." Similarly, "the advancement of the Kingdom of God operates internally." This Kingdom "persists in expanding within our world, amidst both brightness and darkness," and it is "Jesus himself who acts as leaven among the most ordinary individuals, amidst the impoverished and the ailing in need of restoration." Thus, "the layperson is a Christian who sanctifies the world from within," as Christians in every era have engaged with their contemporary circumstances.
Finally, 'The Dream that makes you dream' is the last strenna, the one for this year. Exactly two centuries ago, in 1824, occurred Don Bosco's 'Dream at the age of Nine'. In this dream, initially a man and then a woman, symbolizing the Father and Mother Mary, presented him with a directive. "Not through harshness, but with gentleness and love," they urged him to educate the youth - "the field of action entrusted to Don Bosco" - and to highlight the ugliness of sin and the value of virtue. This mission became the essence of his existence. "Without dreams, life lacks vitality," notes the prelate, who also underscores "that God accomplishes remarkable feats through ordinary individuals, communicating with us in diverse manners".
"I am firmly convinced," concludes Cardinal Fernández Artime, "as Don Bosco often professed, that every success is a grace from Mary Help of Christians; nothing we achieve is without Her direct intervention. She, Immaculate and Help of Christians, continues to lead us all by the hand."
Andrea De Angelis
