The Rector Major speaks of mercy not only for the obvious centrality it has in the Christian life and for the special attention that Pope Francis wanted to dedicate to it through the extraordinary Holy Year. Mercy is also part of the life of the congregation and it is not by chance that in the video Fr Á.F. Artime refers immediately to his letter "Merciful like the Father. A Salesian reading of the jubilee year”.
Speaking of mercy is not, therefore, for the Rector Major merely a rhetorical exercise, but it has "some real consequences." "First, we need the mercy that comes from God, we search for it and ask for it in our own lives in order then to be able to offer it to others."
Mercy implies "not remaining indifferent" in the face of suffering that is manifest in so many parts of the world, sometimes as poverty or hunger, sometimes as xenophobia and rejection.
Mercy means cultivating the family spirit, human relationships, the joy of living, and also justice and fairness in Salesian environments and works.
The "Dear Confreres" video is available on YouTube on ANSChannel and on the sdb.org site.