The meeting, as proposed by the same Salesian Delegates for the Salesian Family (SF) in the courses of three years ago, on this occasion was also open to the members of the groups of the Salesian Family with similar responsibilities in their respective groups, including several Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The varied presence allowed for a shared and choral reflection.
In the rich program of activities, which included numerous interventions by many prominent figures of the Salesian Family and beyond, the introductory speech by Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians and Father and Center of Unity of the SF, stood out. On the sidelines of the great event of the SF Days of Spirituality, he highlighted the living world context of the SF and the positive path it is experiencing, dwelling in particular on the period that he knows best - the last eight years, those of his Rectorate – working, as it has, by following in the footsteps of the previous Rectors Major.
Fr Á.F. Artime stressed the importance of understanding the SF as a charismatic family at the service of the Church and for the world, living the youth mission, a people’s mission, and a missionary one; he asked to enhance the service of the Provincial Delegates, carried out together with the leaders of the Groups present in the Provinces; and he presented the nature, the purpose and the composition of the Secretariat for the SF, understood as the organism with which the Rector Major animates and accompanies the SF of and across the world.
Despite the difficulties due to the pandemic and the consequent restrictions - which reduced the number of people present - for those who were able to participate, all the times of prayer and sharing experienced and the various visits made to the Salesian places were highly enriching.
