The day began with Mass in the novitiate at Poprad. He then went to the Salesian House of Nová Dubnica where in the afternoon he met with about one hundred Salesians from the communities of the western part of Slovakia.
In a frank and friendly conversation which lasted over three hours, the Rector Major once again shared with them some of the priorities and challenges facing the Congregation. He indicated and highlighted once again that the number one priority is to nurture the vocations of the confreres. "The only serious priority for you is to take care of the vocation of each one of you." This means being with your confreres, and having the courage to show affection, making sure everyone in the community is feeling good, happy and serene. "My dream is to see a congregation of mature and happy Salesians."
Speaking about the variety of the works of the Province, Fr Á.F. Artime strongly emphasized the prophetic dimension especially of the Salesian presence in the margins of the Church: in Siberia in Russia, and in Baku in Azerbaijan, which both belong to the Province of Slovakia.
The successor of Don Bosco spent the last night of his visit to Slovakia in Bratislava, in the Provincial House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). He was welcomed with great affection, as the father of the Salesian Family, and was able to get to know and meet the Provincial Council and the community of the FMA house.
The visit of the Rector Major to Slovakia officially ended this morning, 8 November.
