Italy - Days of Spirituality of Salesian Family continue in Valdocco

14 January 2023

(ANS - Turin) - In the setting of Turin-Valdocco the Salesian Family's Days of Spirituality continue at full speed. Yesterday evening, after a time of discussion and debate with the speakers of the round table, the second day came to a close with "Goodnight" and a moment of prayer and song to Mother Mazzarello, performed by the St. Bernard Choir of Novara. Today, then, the work resumed and there were many - and intense - moments that characterized this third day.

In the morning, immediately after Lauds, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians the Eucharist was celebrated as usual, presided over by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime. During the Eucharist, the preacher, Fr. Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat for the Salesian Family, highlighted how "the theme of the Strenna is deeply present in our minds and hearts. The parable of the leaven is extraordinarily fruitful. [...] The 'embryo' of the charism that the Spirit planted in the tender heart of John Bosco continues to ferment the human family of today."

"Like the many grains of wheat that form the bread of the Eucharist," Fr. Playà continued, "we are all called to unite intensely so that Christ, through the gift of our lives, may be nourishment for the children, young people and adults He Himself sets before our eyes.

At the end of the Eucharist, the participants of the Days gathered in front of the statue of Don Bosco for the traditional group photograph together with the Rector Major.

Immediately afterwards, starting at 10:30 a.m., the activities resumed, with those present divided into different groups on the basis of their respective vocations (lay, religious, consecrated secular).

The afternoon proceedings, at the Teatro Grande in Valdocco, began in an atmosphere of joy and fraternity with the presentation of some of the groups of the Salesian Family including that of the Sisters of the Adolescent Jesus and that of the Don Bosco Mission Community.

The assembly session then focused on the Salesian holiness of Br. Artemide Zatti, thanks to the valuable intervention of Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family. After retracing the milestones of his life, Fr. Cameroni emphasized in particular how the Salesian saint lived his "being yeast" inspired by Don Bosco, that is, "doing things with love and out of love" and always with trust in God and Mary Help of Christians. The lay dimension of his sanctity was then emphasized, namely, "the exercise of charity in the simplicity of a small hospital and a small town. He is an example and model of consecration to his people in his daily work, having God as the source, motivation in faith and end of his life." And finally, the invitation to follow the example of Artemide Zatti, to take our bicycles to go to those in need, to the poor, to the little ones, bringing the Word of God to them.

Afterwards, several young people from the Salesian Province of Lombardy-Emilia Italy gave their testimonies on St. Artemis Zatti, explaining what in their opinion the Salesian saint says to a young person today. There were many insights offered by these young people, who agreed that Artemide Zatti sums up the concept of Salesian holiness well and that it is an incentive to walk the path of holiness, loving Jesus and having our neighbor at heart.

It continued with the long-awaited Youth Moment, which occupied the rest of the afternoon and consisted of six different activities. In fact, the GSFS 2023 coordination team wanted to provide a time for dialogue and interaction between the youth and members of the Salesian Family.

The day closed with an evening of fraternity before resuming work on the final day tomorrow, January 15.

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