The first moment in the morning was the presentation of the Strenna 2017 done by Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major: We are Family: “In the face of the situation of the family today, the Salesian Family must respond providing accompaniment and giving rise to processes within the Pastoral Educative Community”.
In the second moment, Fr. Fabio Attard, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, presented the theme: “Salesian Youth Ministry and Family. Heritage and Lines for the Future”. He concluded by stating that “the problem today lies in the exigency of the new evangelization, which requires the pastoral care of the family”.
At the end of the morning there was the celebration of the Holy Mass, which was presided over by the Rector Major, with the homily delivered by Fr. Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major.
In the first part of the afternoon, Psychologist Virginia Cagijal from Spain dealt with the theme: ”Accompanying the family, keys for listening and discernment”. Reflecting on the text of “Amoris Laetitia” she affirmed, “Every marriage is a history of salvation that must heal, protect and educate. In order to face the difficulties of the family today, such as, among other things, hyper-protection and lack of time, the strength of the family essentially resides on its capacity of loving and of teaching to love”.
One of the most beautiful experiences was the presentation of Salvo Adamo and his spouse, who offered to host in their houses children, adolescents and young people who do live in a house of their own.
After the encounter in language groups, the Mother General of the FMAs, Sr. Ivonne Reungoat, delivered the Salesian “Buona Notte”. “The Salesian Family is a prophetic strength in the world today. We must be aware of this reality. Don Bosco understood that education is not possible without the presence of a family and without an atmosphere of healthy affection, freedom, trust, cheerfulness, hope, thus creating the possibility for his youth to be formed by living in a family”.
