What motivated you to become a Salesian?
I met the Salesians in Utrera, I was 10 years old, and I stayed there as an internee for seven years. The Salesians really struck me: they were special religious, happy, close, they took care of us, they played, even though they were demanding. When I learned about Don Bosco's life, I understood why they were like this. Over time I understood their spirituality, their works, but above all the meaning of the atmosphere of celebration and joy. And when the time came to decide for the future, I found myself in a retreat with this phrase: "The happiness of many depends on your yes or your no". I decided to say YES to the Lord.
What do you bring of the GC28 experience with you?
It was the fourth General Chapter that I'd participated in. The first thing that struck me was having celebrated it in Turin, where everything spoke of Don Bosco and the Help of Christians.
The second was the presence of young people. Their messages, testimonies and requests - to be among them, to love them, to be signs of fatherhood, to accompany them to the encounter with God ... - were a new "Letter from Rome".
Finally, I am not indifferent to having been elected Regional Councilor: a new stage in my Salesian life opens.
What have you been able to know so far about the new assignment? What do you expect for the future?
I learned that the first task is to collaborate with the Rector Major in the animation and government of the Congregation. And within the Council, promote a more direct union between the Provinces of the Region with the Rector Major and the Council; I will have to take care of the life and mission of the Provinces entrusted to me and facilitate the knowledge of the local situations for the Council.
Looking to the future, this is a precious region that has its riches - first of all, people - and also challenges. What will make us grow will be to face these challenges with courage and decision and trust in the Lord.
In six years, what do you dream of for your region?
Don Bosco was a great dreamer, down to earth. My dream starts from our history, which is not past; it is a promise of future, and from which we have much to learn.
We have some challenges: vocational fruitfulness; the revitalization of Salesian consecrated life; focus on poor and at-risk young people - with special attention to immigration; the missionary horizon - the missionary sensitivity of our region is impressive!
We cannot stop dreaming: I dream of a great communion of people - Salesians, laypeople, Salesian Family - who work in communion for the education and evangelization of young people.
I wish we, like Don Bosco, lived as if we saw the invisible.
