At 10:30, Fr A.F. Artime presided over a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the "San Antônio" church, which celebrated the 60 years of the existence of the "Saint Pius X" Province of Porto Alegre. In his homily, the Rector Major recalled that the Salesian Family had a great mission: to make Don Bosco present – and current - today, welcoming the poor and needy young people in a preferential way.
In this celebration the Rector Major received new members of the Salesian Family who made their promise as members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians and Salesian Cooperators.
After the celebration the "Merito Dom Bosco" medal was awarded to various people who collaborate with the Salesian houses in Santa Catarina and Paraná, in a tribute attended by the Rector Major, Fr. Deretti, Fr Natale Vitali, Regional Councilor for the America South Cone Region, and the Director of the house, deacon Adalberto César Inácio.
Then a theatrical representation of the life of Don Bosco took place, at the end of which a special painting was presented to the Rector Major with the image of Don Bosco and the Rector Major's photograph, to mean that Fr Á.F. Artime is "Don Bosco today".
On the afternoon of August 5, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco spent time at the oratory, meeting hundreds of young people. Fr João Carlos Ribeiro, SDB, offered a concert with several new and unpublished songs, while the young animated numerous games and activities. At the end of this meeting, the Rector Major offered the thought of the traditional "Salesian Goodnight" to all the participants, encouraging them to continue on the path of carrying out the Salesian mission. "Make Don Bosco present among young people, especially those who are most in need of the Salesian presence," he said.
Yesterday morning, Monday 6 August, the Rector Major, accompanied by his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, travelled to Belo Horizonte, where he arrived early in the afternoon.
