Fr Artime began by recalling the happy coincidence of being able to participate in this particular moment of the POR Province, at the end of World Youth Day Lisbon 2023. He recalled the conclusion of the WYD and the "wonderful message" that young people gave to the whole world and also to Portugal.

He thanked the entire assembly for their presence: the Salesian Family in its various charisms, Fr Morais- family and the young people. “It is really a celebration” he said.

Then he recalled the most important tasks of the Salesian Provincial: "to ensure that the charism in Portugal continues to be 100% Salesian, in fidelity to the only important thing: the Lord Jesus, to families and young people and, first of all, to the poorest and most disadvantaged, and to the confreres... He must be the Good Shepherd for all, this is the identity of the Salesian of Don Bosco" he stressed.

Then, referring to the reading of the Gospel on the request by James and John, he spoke of "a human attitude, very human, all too human", he said, and instead asked all Salesians to have the opposite attitude, to "not seek power, but to serve." And he asked them to "never forget Mary... The Portuguese people are a model of love for Mary for many of us."

He then addressed words of thanks to the outgoing Provincial, Fr Mendonça. "With all my heart, thank you for these years of service with the Provincial Council and Provincial Delegates. And thank you for the way you have led this Province. On behalf of Don Bosco, a very, very deep thank you"he reiterated.

Fr Á.F. Artime asked those present: "Let us pray for the service of Fr Tarcizio Morais."

Then the text of the appointment was read, signed by the new Provincial and the Rector Major.

"Today is the time to give thanks" the new Provincial said. We think, we live, we grow, in the awareness that ‘in God everything is God / a simple blade of grass is no less than infinity’ [Tolentino de Mendonça, A noite abre minhas olhos - Poesia reunida]. It is in God, Our Lord, that we find meaning, motivation, and strength for the infinity of love that is in us. It is the Lord that I thank first of all, on this day of installation, for the gift of life, of faith, of the Congregation, of the Portuguese Province, of the young people and of each one of us."

"In young people we live so completely, we live without living in ourselves, but in that higher life that we hope for, in a life only of love", Fr Morais continued in his message, enriched by further poetic quotations and evocative passages.

“Let's put our hand to the plough today. Asking the Lord to be the good sower of the land of our Province in Portugal and Cape Verde. [...] And in the hope of continuing to work with the poorest and most needy, in the continuity of the pastoral, educational and evangelising quality of our works and presences" he concluded.

A final word was then offered by Fr Á.F. Artime, addressing the new Provincial’s mother. “I can imagine a Mother's heart on this day. On behalf of Don Bosco, thank you, thank you very much for the son you have given us... The vocational formation we have received is important, but the most important thing is the formation our parents have given us. On behalf of Don Bosco, thank you, dear mother."

The Rector Major leaves today, 9 August, for Madrid, thus concluding his visit to Portugal which began on 30 July. In these days, he also experienced special moments with the Salesian communities he was able to visit: Lisbon, Manique and Estoril. On the evening of his arrival, he shared the "Salesian Goodnight" with the community at the Provincial House. On the second day, 31 July, the Rector Major visited and had lunch with the Salesian community of the Artémides Zatti residence in Manique, which welcomes the elderly and sick Salesians of the Province. In Estoril, on the other hand, he had lunch with the community on the occasion of the celebration of SYM Day, on 2 August.

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