During the meeting in Metiyagane on the afternoon of 11 November, the Rector Major emphasized to the Confreres of Sri Lanka the challenges facing the Congregation and also this Vice-Province:
- The need to grow in maturity – personal maturity as Salesians and human, anthropological, affective and sexual maturity.
- The poverty of good fraternal relationships in our communities.
- Concern over clericalism: we are first Salesians - then some are priests and others lay religious.
- The need to grow strong in Salesian Identity: Salesians of Don Bosco are a charismatic congregation working for the young, not a congregation of parishes.
Finally, the Rector Major led the gathering in a moment of prayer through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Saturday 12 November, he visited Don Bosco Institute of Philosophy and Humanities at Chinthanaloka in Kotadeniyawa, accompanied by the Regional Councillor, Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the Provincial, Fr Joseph Almeida, and his Secretary, Fr Horacio López. The Chinthanaloka Community is blessed with seventeen students who are pursuing their three-year study of philosophy. Fr Á.F. Artime presided over the Holy Eucharist, where he insisted on the need for unity in diversity.
On the Sunday he travelled to Trichy, India. On his arrival at the airport, the Provincial, Fr Albert Johnson, along with the Provincial Councilors, FMA communities, youth representatives, volunteers, well-wishers and media personnel were waiting to welcome the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco.
The Rector Major planted a sapling at the entrance of the Provincial house. Then he met the family of Fr Kanaga, a demonstration that family spirit is the hallmark of the Salesian spirit.
Finally, the Rector Major met the Provincial Council Members and in the afternoon travelled to Don Bosco Thanjavur, the place where the first Salesians landed a hundred and ten years ago, sent by Don Rua, the first Successor of Don Bosco, under the leadership of Fr George Tomatis.
Numerous photos of the visit of the Rector Major are available on ANSFlickr: Sri Lanka and Trichy.
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/2123#sigProIdc3e659914a
