For many of these Salesians, it was their first trip to Brazil. Fr. Carlos Castillo, Delegate for Formation of the Mexico-México Province, was impressed by the size and care of the Aparecida Shrine. "This is a place I wanted to get to know, also because of the importance of the document of the Fifth Conference of the Latin American Bishops' Council (CELAM), which was produced here. And the manifestations of the devotion of these people, the affection of the people, the atmosphere of fraternity, peace, and serenity experienced here are very significant," he said.
The visit to the Marian shrine was an opportunity for each religious to consecrate to Our Lady's hands the activities carried out in their Province. "This visit is a very Salesian activity because the Lord gave Don Bosco a teacher, and Don Bosco left her to us as a mother, and therefore our Congregation must always feel guided by Mary," the Salesian added.
Another Salesian who was very impressed by the visit to the Aparecida Shrine was Fr. Peter Lee, Delegate for Social Communication of the United States West (SUO) Province. "I was amazed to see so many people demonstrating profound faith: they came from so many different places and were there to offer their gratitude to God, or to invoke His mercy and help for themselves, their families, friends, and all their communities and societies," he testified.
The SUO Delegate also glimpsed a meaningful similarity between the history of Brazil's Patroness, the Virgin of Aparecida, and the mission of the Salesians. "The story of Aparecida is very Salesian because in it is Mary who helps men to fish. In our history, it is always Mary who teaches Don Bosco 'how to fish,' how to work with young people. Even today, with the Salesians, it is Mary who teaches us how to 'fish' and touch the hearts of young people. We would not be able to do anything if it were not for Her."
Fr. Lee also wanted to emphasize the atmosphere created during the days of the Joint Meeting between the Delegates of Formation and Communication from Interamerica and America South Cone: "I believe that one of the greatest resources we have in the Salesian Congregation, working with the laity, is this ability, in all parts of the world, to share our thoughts, our concerns, our dreams and our hopes about the future of young people. We talked a lot about working together and we could see during these days the Provincial Delegates, lay and Salesian, working together and sharing prayer and activities in an atmosphere of fraternity, which truly manifests a great sense of belonging to the Salesian Family."
On the same day as the pilgrimage to Aparecida, a visit to St. Paul's center was also scheduled, during which there was an opportunity to learn about the historical memory of the Salesian work. "Seeing how the first Salesians who arrived here lived and worked is a way to strengthen our identity, both Salesian and ecclesial, to see how beautiful our Church is. It was a privileged experience," said Zaida Navarrete, Social Communications Coordinator for the Interamerica Region.
Euclides Fernandes Brites
SC Delegate of Brazil-Campo Grande
