The course consisted of a proposal for accompaniment of Salesians over seventy, to enable them, through psychology, spirituality and Salesianity, to give quality to this phase in their life, and so that they may be able to share their experience of life at this stage in a fraternal atmosphere.
Various subjects were addressed during the first two weeks: Salesian Fr Mateo Del Blanco from the St James the Greater Spanish Province (SSM), pointed to this period as "Giving life to the years", offering an approach to ageing from the point of view of psychology and human sciences. "Health and the passage of life" and "A spirituality that fills life" were topics addressed respectively by Xabier Azcoitia and Ángeles Lozano, from the Camillians' Humanizar team. Salesian Fr Eugenio Alburquerque, also from SSM, explored two valid models for ageing as Salesians, viz., St Francis de Sales and Don Bosco, by looking at their lives in their latter years.
Those taking part in the experience also had the opportunity to visit houses in Alicante and Elche, where they were given a wonderful reception by the respective communities.
The third week was based on experience, with a visit to places marked by the presence of Don Bosco in Barcelona: Martí Codolar, where they visited a small but well-equipped museum on Don Bosco, in memory of his visit to Barcelona and its famous photo found in many Salesian houses; Can Prats, and in particular the room where Don Bosco lived during the month of his stay in Barcelona, now transformed into a chapel, and where they celebrated a very heartfelt Eucharist. Then finally the Tibidabo shrine, which has its own close relationship with Don Bosco which was well explained by the Rector of the community, Fr Joan Codina.
The highlight of this experience was, of course, Turin. The older Salesians visited the places of Don Bosco's childhood, adolescence and adult years: the Becchi, Castelnuovo Don Bosco and Chieri, which were explained and illustrated by Fr Josean Hernández. In Turin, it was the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the Pinardi chapel, the Casa Don Bosco Museum, the church of St Francis of Assisi, in whose sacristy Don Bosco began his mission, and two works by two personalities linked to Don Bosco, St Joseph Cottolengo and the Marchioness Barolo. Over these days they also had the opportunity to greet the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola.
This course with its two approaches, lectures and experience, was greatly appreciated by all participants who are grateful to the El Campello community for its warm welcome and hospitality.
Fr Mateo del Blanco, SDB
