On Friday 3 August, in the Provincial House, the Rector Major met with the Salesians working in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, at the works of Bagé, Rio Grande, Santa Rosa, Porto Alegre and Viamão. On this occasion, the archbishop emeritus of Porto Alegre, mgr. Dadeus Grings, was also present.
Fr Á.F. Artime began his conversation with the Salesians saying, "We have a very beautiful Congregation. I know the Salesian world because in the last four years I have visited many countries where Salesians work and donate their lives. We do much good for young people and families. The Congregation maintains a great fidelity to Don Bosco and lives its consecration to God as Salesians in a very serene way."
The Rector Major spoke about the kind of Salesians that are needed for the future. He emphasized the importance of the formation of the Salesians and pointed out some challenges, such as better bearing witness to the beauty of consecrated life and a fraternity that is attractive, and being happy and mature Salesians. And he concluded, "We have many reasons for being hopeful. Being Salesian, priest or brother is beautiful, but we must have the heart of Don Bosco."
Then, during the celebration of the Mass, he received the promise of new members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of Viamão and Porto Alegre, and the promise of new Salesian Cooperators. He then blessed the icon of the Good Shepherd which, as part of a vocational project, will cross the Salesian houses of the Province.
On Saturday, August 4, the X Successor of Don Bosco visited Curitiba, where he met the Salesians of the States of Santa Catarina and Paraná and later the Salesians in formation.
Fr Sérgio Ramos de Souza, a Salesian from Porto Alegre, wrote on his Facebook page: "Thank you, Rector Major, for your fatherly presence, for your testimony of life, for your animation visit. We feel challenged to respond in a meaningful and courageous way to our mission of educating and evangelizing, according to the heart of Don Bosco."
