During the Vespers, the confreres of the community gathered to entrust to the Lord the new space designated for communal liturgical prayer. Along with the Rector Major, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, as well as the artist of the paintings at the chapel, Mrs. Silvia Allocco and her family were present.
During the short ceremony, the Rector Major, greeted those present after the opening hymn and raised a prayer to God on behalf of the community, praising Him for the gift of Christ and imploring the intercession of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph, St Francis de Sales and St John Bosco; and then incensed the corresponding images consecrating the same.
Subsequently, after the praying the vespers, the Rector Major proceeded to bless the ambo, and offered a homily, in which he emphasized the importance of coming together to build peace at a time in history when war is advancing on global proportions. "Our community is called to implore and live mutually, the gift of peace," was the message shared on the occasion.
The rite ended with the solemn blessing of the altar, the communal recitation of the Our Father and a prayer to Don Bosco.
Commenting on the event, the Rector of the Community of the Salesian Headquarters, Fr Francesco Marcoccio, said: "It was an opportunity to remember all the brothers who are at the service of the Rector Major, to pray for all Salesian houses around the world, to reaffirm fidelity to the Founder, and to proceed towards the renewal of the Salesian charism as required by our journey towards General Chapter 29".
The new Chapel of the Word of God at Salesian Headquarters was built after eight months of intensive work and can accommodate 68 people.
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