Italy – October 15, 2023: First Mass as a cardinal in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians for Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime

10 October 2023
Italy – October 15, 2023: First Mass as a cardinal in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians for Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime

(ANS – Turin) – These days is a time for many innovations and firsts for the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco: since he was created Cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September, a new form of ecclesial service has officially begun, in an even broader dimension than the already vast and demanding one that he has had as the 10th Successor of Don Bosco at the head of the Salesian Congregation. Among the most significant moments of this new direction in his new life, on Sunday, 15 October 2023, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime will preside at the altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in his first Mass as cardinal.

This is undoubtedly an unprecedented event: although in the little more than 150 years of Salesian history, Fr Á.F. Artime is the twentieth Son of Don Bosco to serve as cardinal, it has never happened that a Rector Major – still in office, for all intents and purposes – has been called to be part of the College of Cardinals.

The celebration also has a very special value for what the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin represents for the Salesian world: the spiritual centre of the Mother House and the source from which the charism of Don Bosco spreads. The Rector Major’s first Mass as cardinal in this basilica symbolically brings Salesian spirituality in a certain sense  even closer to the heart of the Church, and vice versa.

The Mass will involve civil and military authorities together with the People of God and the Salesian Family, and will begin at 9:30 am local time (UTC+2); in order to allow maximum participation including for those who will not be able to attend live, it will also be broadcast live on the basilica's YouTube channel.

At the end of the celebration, a statue of St Artemides Zatti, SDB, and an exhibition of such will also be inaugurated. This can be visited from 15 October to 30 November at the basilica.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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