"I thank you for going out in haste, in the same way as the Virgin Mary, to the encounter with others, to follow Jesus," Bishop Jesús Catalá of Malaga said at the opening of the meeting, offering his welcome to all present. Then, after the opening prayer, he left the floor to Fr. Tomás Sánchez, Director of the Salesian presence in Málaga, who thanked the 300+ attendees, who came from centers in Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and Extremadura.
During the meeting, in which there was ample time for dialogue with the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, Fr. Á.F. Artime stressed the importance of the SSCCs, a group with profound roots. "Salesian Cooperators are a living force in the world and I am grateful for your vocation and what you are within the Salesian Family," he explained, then added some key ideas: "Salesian Cooperators must be visible. You are not a living force in the Church and in the Salesian Family to remain in the sacristies. This is the great challenge."
The world of youth could not fail to have a special place in the dialogue, which is why there was an in-depth reflection on the topic. "We have fantastic boys and girls, but the real social problem is their access to working life," said the Rector Major. "Opening the way for them is the best service we can do, as an association, with them.
"We currently have 1,147 presences, works, or services aimed at the young people who need it most. There is something very charismatic about that. We were born in an oratory, but we have to adapt to the needs of our time," he insisted, providing some figures and warning of the dangers of inertia. "We run the risk of believing that to do the same things over and over again is to remain faithful to the charism: but won't it be necessary, at times, to take down a tent from one place to fix it where there is a young person who cries out?"
Fr. Á.F. Artime also had the opportunity to answer several questions, and in one of his answers he highlighted his relationship with the Holy Father: "The Pope loves the Salesian Family with an insane love, and you can see it in many gestures," and he continues to encourage it to "make noise."
The Salesian Cooperators in attendance also experienced some very emotional moments during the day: the presentation of the hymn of the Salesian Cooperators of the Province of Mary Help of Christians, entitled "Dreamers of Life," by author Javi Bernal of the Rota center; as well as the celebration of Masses during which 13 promises were made, in the Cathedral of Malaga; and the presentation of the silver insignia to the members of most enduring and proven fidelity.
Other memorable moments included meetings with leaders of the Salesian Family and the "+ Que Arte y Expresión" moment with Christian illustrators and musicians such as Fano, Unai Quirós, Javi Bernal, and Nico Montero.
Finally, the Tenth Successor of Don Bosco did not want to miss the opportunity to meet with young people, through the "+ Que Familia para la Juventud" moment that gathered boys and girls from Salesian foundations, with which he closed the SSCC meeting; and then personally, during the weekend of May 6-7, with the animators of the "Francisco Míguez" Youth Center of Malaga, received together with the Director of the work, Fr. Sánchez. On the latter occasion Fr. Á.F. Artime shared a close encounter with them and emulated Don Bosco himself by dedicating to them one of his best-known phrases, "You are thieves: you have stolen my heart!"
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/17924-spain-salesian-cooperators-are-a-living-force-in-the-world-and-i-am-grateful-for-your-vocation#sigProId242b42dc29
