In the homily of the Mass for the young - attended by delegations from all the Salesian presences of Rwanda, for a total of about 550 young people - the Rector Major said young people have a bright future ahead, if they continued to put into practice the good values offered by the Salesians. He also thanked the teachers and other adults present at Mass, encouraging them to continue to serve young people on their personal journey of growth. Before dismissing the assembly, he blessed the statue of Mary Help of Christians and that of Don Bosco, offered as a gift by the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Turin.
The X Successor of Don Bosco then gathered at the House of the Africa-Great Lakes Vice Province (AGL) with the representatives of the six groups of the Salesian Family active in Rwanda: Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Volunteers with Don Bosco and the Association of Mary Help of Christians.
The Rector Major offered them words of encouragement in the growth of the values of the Gospel and in the Salesian charismatic identity. He mentioned the good collaboration and communion among the groups of the Salesian Family and congratulated each of them for their contribution to the growth of the Salesian Family, and renewed the invitation to always offer a good testimony of the Gospel so that Salesian spirituality may attract young people.
In mid-afternoon the Rector Major, accompanied by his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, and Fr Américo Chaquisse, Councilor for the Salesian region of Africa-Madagascar, and the Provincial of AGL, Fr Camiel Swertvagher, reached the airport from where he flew to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, the third and last country to be visited.
Warmly welcomed also on this occasion, Fr Á.F. Artime then reached the Salesian community of Namugongo, near Kampala, where he spent the night.
All photos of the Visit are available on ANSFlickr.