As a concrete gesture of the commitment of the Salesian Province at this crucial moment, the retreat houses in Quilpué, Macul and Lo Cañas have made themselves available to the authorities of the Ministry of Health, as expressed by the Chilean Episcopal Conference in the letter published on 19 March of this year. In total, these are 175 beds that will certainly help in some way to face the crisis that Chile, like many other countries in the world, is facing today.
In addition, the Provincial invited the Salesians to follow the directions of the authorities and to remain as much as possible within the communities. He also urged to intensify personal and community prayer, especially for those most affected by this pandemic: the sick, the elderly and health workers.
"This scenario also calls us to action, we will not stand by, watching our people suffer; just as Don Bosco, our Father and Founder, faced the cholera epidemic in 1854, I invite you to put yourself in the hands of Mary's maternal help," said Fr Lira.
Before ending his message, the Salesian encouraged his confreres to continue evangelizing and educating, exercising the pastoral ministry and the accompaniment of young people through digital media. In this sense, the Salesian Schools Network and the Silva Henriquez Catholic University (UCSH) offer a pedagogical accompaniment service.
Finally, the Provincial of Chile concluded: "Let young people, their families and parishioners in general know that we are available online at any time for them."
