On Saturday 4 February, on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the Salesian presence in Cuba and the Antilles, the Rector Major met over 400 members of the Cuban Salesian Family, at the house of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Peñalver.
He was welcomed with singing and clapping by the children, adolescents and young people who attended the event. Fr Á.F. Artime greeted them saying: "study, be formed, learn languages, but above all prepared for life and enrich your life with values."
He encouraged Cubans to continue to dream and said that "the Salesian Family in Cuba will remain for a long time and will continue to grow." He continued urging them: "never put God aside! He is the driving force and the force of life."
The Sunday was characterized by a series of important events: a meeting with the Salesians of the houses in Cuba, a meeting with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and members of the Salesian Family, and a Eucharist at the National Temple of Mary Help of Christians in old Havana during which the Servant of God, Fr José Vandor, was remembered.
In his homily, the Rector Major invited the young people and adults to be strong in hope, "to continue to gather the values and talents that you have heard these days spoken by the children and young people and the whole Salesian Family in Cuba ".
The centenary of the Salesian presence in Cuba was marked by the visit of the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco: "It will always be the commitment of the whole Salesian Family in Cuba to spread the values of the Preventive System and familiarity among the people with whom we work," he said.
