The confreres in Benediktbeuern were waiting for Fr Artime. He joined in Evening Prayer with the community and later spoke with young volunteers of the youth training centre "Aktionszentrum" and with those responsible for the Salesian Hostel. With much enthusiasm and numerous examples, the young people told the Rector Major about their work and offered him a non-alcoholic cocktail prepared by them in the bar of the discotheque at the centre. Fr Artime accepted their gift and thanked the young volunteers for their service, adding: "You give a lot through your work. But I'm sure that after a year you take home with you a lot more, which will remain for the rest of your life." The Rector Major then played guitar and sang along with the young people and wished them good night saying: "If I were not so tired I would be happy to stay with you until 4,00 in the morning!"
On the Sunday morning the Rector Major celebrated Mass for the first Sunday of Advent and then visited the Salesian monastery of Benediktbeuern. He was very surprised at the variety of activities the Salesians offer the young people in the various departments. He admired the works of art in the Baroque hall, and noted with great interest the activities developed in the centre for environment and culture, and enquired about the work in environmental education being done there.
Then, in the early afternoon, accompanied by his secretary, Fr Horacio López, he went to Munich. There he met the Salesians and praised their work, which is responding to the challenges identified in the past. "This is a great achievement ... We always have to ask what the children and young people of today need and how we can help," said the Rector Major.
