"We have a beautiful congregation. This is not presumption or vanity." With these words the Rector Major encouraged the nearly 300 Salesians gathered at Utrera for the second celebration in the Province. The words he addressed to the confreres were full of affection and also courage in meeting the present pastoral challenges.
Fr Á.F. Artime spoke of the need to be mature and happy Salesians and to convey to young people the joy of following Jesus Christ and of evangelizing. "We are Salesians from the first minute of our religious profession," he stressed, and called on Salesians to be always open to needy young people.
After the provincial celebration the Rector Major reached Seville and received an award on behalf of the institute Colegio Mayor San Juan Bosco Institute, during a solemn academic ceremony which was attended by the mayor of the town, Dr. Juan Espadas, a past pupil of the work at Trinidad.
The busy day ended with the Salesian Youth Movement prayer vigil in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. After the prayer service, the Rector Major began a dialogue with young people; and in conclusion he told them that one of his wishes is that "the Salesian Congregation may be as Don Bosco dreamed".
On Sunday 8 May Fr Á.F. Artime visited the Bartolomé Blanco Community and met about twenty young people. Subsequently he went to the Pietro Ricaldone community where about twenty sick and elderly Salesians live. The Rector Major greeted them one by one, with a father's affection, and said: "our best richness is a life given to the Lord and to young people, like yours."
Further information can be found on the blog https://visitarectormayor.wordpress.com and fore more photos visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/140626487@N08/sets/
