The first stop on the program was a visit to Bishop José Mazuelos Pérez, Bishop of the Canary Islands, in the Episcopal Palace, a moment of frank and open dialogue, in which he was also accompanied by Fr. Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councilor for the Mediterranean Region.

Afterward, the Rector Major went to the Salesian presence in Las Palmas, where nearly 2,000 young people from the "Tomás Morales," "Guanarteme," "Árbol Bonito," "Telde," and "El Polvorín-Fundación Canaria Maín" centers - animated by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians - welcomed the 10th Successor of Don Bosco in an academic act that began with the traditional song "I live in an archipelago."

The first tribute was "Si sabes silbar" (If you know how to whistle), through which the arrival of the FMA in Gran Canaria in 1939 and their subsequent expansion on the island was recalled.

"I am very happy to be able to see and greet us," shared Fr. Á.F. Artime in his first greeting to the many boys and girls present, with their colorful T-shirts painting the courtyard red, yellow, blue, orange, and white. "I felt it was very important to be here to celebrate 75 years of Salesian presence in Telde and 100 years of this work. I leave you with the same prophecy as your friends in La Orotava: the most beautiful thing we can give ourselves is that all the houses of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello will always be places to welcome young people and prepare them for life... My greatest joy is to imagine you everywhere, when you leave here, and that you will be full of values," he added.

"As the waves bathe us and the sun shines down on us, we want to continue to live the message of Don Bosco and let the words of the Rector Major, to whom we are enormously grateful for his presence and message, make their way. This will always be your home! Thank you, Don Ángel!" was then the message left by the youth to the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, who left the courtyard amid ovations and requests for photos and selfies. But before taking his leave, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco still had time to admire the azulejo - a glazed ceramic of local tradition - commemorating his visit to Gran Canaria for this solemn centennial.

In the afternoon, events began with a meeting between the Rector Major and members of the Educational-Pastoral Community and Salesian Family of Gran Canaria. Welcoming him to the Aula Magna was the Director of the work, Fr. Carmelo Pulido, who spoke about the Rectors Major who have visited this land, starting with Fr. Egidio Viganò, passing through Fr. Juan Edmundo Vecchi and ending with Fr. Pascual Chávez.

The meeting also included other symbolic and evocative moments, such as a mini-concert of a few songs from local and Salesian traditions, prepared by a delegation of music teachers from Salesian schools. Thus, the reference to Don Bosco and his famous saying "A Salesian house without music is like a body without a soul" kicked off the performances. And the second and final piece, "Hail, Holy Don Bosco," saw the audience come alive and alight as one body.

The cultural act continued with a remembrance of the origins and meaning of the Salesian Family, in which it was recalled. "Don Bosco founded the Congregation with a group of his boys. They were street boys. They had grown up with him and together had discovered new horizons for which it was worth betting their whole lives. Those young men decided to stay with Don Bosco because the promised bread was never lacking and was distributed to the poor; the announced work was the joy of daily and unreserved dedication; paradise, a certain hope rooted in God's mercy and tenderness. Yes, Michael, John, Francis, Joseph, and many others of those boys decided to stay with their father, the friend, the teacher, the saint. Because his prophetic gaze fascinated them, his good shepherd's heart spoke to them of God, his industrious and caring hands seemed to them channels that opened a new and better world for all."

After this heartfelt tribute, the Rector Major wanted to reciprocate all the affection by expressing himself with total frankness. "I could have come to Gran Canaria a first time just before my appointment as Superior of the Spain-Mary Help of Christians Province, but this did not happen again because in the meantime I was elected Rector Major. As they say, good things come to those who wait. Now I tell you that I would stay much longer in this land!"

Then the Rector Major made himself available for questions from those present, and the meeting concluded with another musical performance.

Afterward, the Eucharistic celebration took place, presided over by the Rector Major himself. "Faith alone is what secures our future. Living as Christians, trusting the Lord of life who accompanies us and who will speak in the present and in the future. Together with Mary Help of Christians, trusting in Her, we will see what are the miracles in the lives of young people."

The day ended with a toast in the courtyard of the work, open to all those who wished to give another greeting to the Rector Major.

Video - Photos

Source: Salesianos.info

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