The celebration of the Eucharist for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time in the Salesian basilica began with the greeting to Cardinal Fernández Artime by the Superior of the Special Italy-Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta Circumscription (ICP), Fr Leonardo Mancini, who said in his message, "We are honoured by Pope Francis’ choice to call you to be among his closest collaborators. Beyond the healthy pride we feel for the Congregation and the Salesian Family, it seems to us to be very beautiful and significant that he wanted another Son of Don Bosco, his 10th Successor, to be close to him, to help him guide the whole Church."
Therefore, with reference to the Saint of Young People’s attention to young people, especially the poorest and most needy, and to integral education, Fr Mancini continued by stating that "the Church increasingly needs to acquire the perspective with which Don Bosco looked at the world", and concluded again by addressing Fr Á.F. Artime, assuring him of everyone's prayers, but also saying that "We well know that what is required is service and commitment. But we have also experienced your courage, your determination, your desire to do good in the style of Don Bosco."
Following the Mass celebrated in the presence of various civil, military and religious authorities, many Salesians – including the General Councillor for Formation, Fr. Ivo Coelho, and the parish priest of the basilica, Fr. Michele Viviano – and many members and representatives of the Salesian Family, the Rector Major offered a reflection in his homily.
""Don Bosco was truly a genius in so many things of universal pedagogy: everything was good for giving cause for celebration, for stirring up emotions" he recalled in his opening remarks, comparing the festive atmosphere wisely nurtured by the Founder of the Salesians to the day of celebration that was being celebrated at Valdocco in his honour.
Then he remembered when it was suggested to Don Bosco that he be appointed bishop, but he refused, thinking about how his boys would feel if they had to interact with a bishop in the courtyard. And he specified that in his case, the appointment as cardinal, received by surprise and only known to him like everyone else on 9 July, after being disseminated by the media throughout the world, was something that preceded and overtook him, and which he accepted as "an obedience" in a spirit of loyalty to the Holy Father.
At the same time, beyond the celebration and the honours that can be paid, he insisted that "for us believers, authority, if it is not for service, is useless", and illustrated the motto chosen for his appointment – "Sufficit Tibi Gratia Mea" (My grace is enough for you) – as an emblem of his trust in the constant accompaniment of Divine Providence.
Moreover, he explained the meaning of the cardinalate as a service to the communion of the Church and in the hands of the Pope, called to spend his moral authority in an increasingly complex world currently plagued by more than 30 conflicts.
Finally, entering into the analysis and explanation of the Liturgy of the day, he invited all the faithful to keep in their hearts the certainty that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who makes his children miss nothing; and to work together to create a world of fraternity, where it is possible to accept together the invitation to the banquet and wedding that God offers to each of his children.
Finally, it is worth remembering that just before Mass, the monument dedicated to Saint Artemides Zatti, the Salesian Brother and nurse of the poor, Italian by birth, but naturalised Argentinian, beatified in 2002 by Pope John Paul II and canonised in 2022 by Pope Francis, was uncovered, blessed and inaugurated in one of the niches of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. In addition, on the same occasion the panel exhibition dedicated to the saintly nurse was also inaugurated. It can still be visited until 30 November at the Salesian basilica.
