At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the former Salesian Provincial Fr Marko Košnik, SDB, thanked the guests and all the faithful gathered in the church and those in the courtyard who followed the event on a large screen for their participation in the celebration, which took place as a sign of gratitude for the centenary of the consecration of the church, for the missionary year and for the Salesian charism in Slovenia. For him personally, too, the Eucharist was a moment of thanksgiving and handing over of the service as Provincial of Saints Cyril and Methodius Province of Slovenia (SLO) to the fifteenth Superior, Fr Peter Končan, SDB.

Then, in the homily, Cardinal Fernández Artime thanked the Apostolic Nuncio in Slovenia, Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich, the President of the Slovenian Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Andrej Saje, the Archbishop of Ljubljana, Archbishop Stanislav Zore, OFM, and the Salesian Bishop of Murska Sobota, Bishop Peter Štumpf, not only out of courtesy, but as sincere gratitude for the expression of the unity of the Church. "The Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian Family always want to contribute to the unity of the Church."

"Do we, who are in the Church, carry God in our hearts?" he then asked. I'm not asking if we go to church, I'm asking if we carry God in our heart. This is the greatest invitation that our Mother makes to us. We are united because we have a mother. Because we have God in our hearts" he said.

Cardinal Á.F. Artime was able to visit 120 countries during his years of service as Rector Major. Everywhere he found love for Mary, who is venerated in different expressions and ways, and he observed that love for the Mother strengthens the Christian faith more. “How is that possible? Because the Mother always leads us to Jesus, her beloved son" he explained.

Finally, he concluded with a look at the renovated church in Rakovnik. “It's been 100 years since this church began. It's small but very beautiful. And it makes perfect sense, because it's full of blessings. From Don Bosco we learned a certainty: trust in Mary Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are. Don Bosco did not speak of gigantic miracles of healing. God already knows when to allow such a thing. How many times has it happened that life changed precisely because of the presence of the Mother. Here too the next 100 years will be full of grace for the Christian life, I am sure. Thank you for being here today. We are certain that God blesses us and all those we carry in our hearts.”

During the opening ceremony of the new Provincial, Cardinal Fernández Artime thanked Fr Košnik for what he had done in his six-year service. Fr Končan then spoke, saying, "Thanks to Mary Help of Christians, who has been reigning on this hill of Rakovnik for a whole century. Mary stands here on the altar, listens to us, looks at us, encourages us, comforts us, rejoices and weeps with us, and brings our requests before Heavenly Father. Thanks to Mary's presence, this hill has become a place of grace, where many find inner peace, consolation and listening. "

After the liturgical celebration, enriched by the presence of numerous priests, altar servers, the choir with the orchestra and the folklore group with traditional folk costumes, the gathering continued in the courtyard of the Salesian youth centre in Rakovnik where the parishioners prepared an extensive program of entertainment and culinary specialties for all, with which they concluded the days of spiritual retreat.

“Young people today need us to be with them. If we are with them, we will understand what they need and can help them. That is why the presence is so important" the Rector Major observed in the circumstance.

The Rector Major also blessed the new statue of the Founder of the Salesians in front of the church, a sign of gratitude to the Father and Teacher of young people for the vitality of the Salesian charism in Slovenia. The work, 2.8 metres high, depicts Don Bosco surrounded by two young people of today, a boy with a cell phone in his hand and a girl dancing, and the dog "Grigio", with a ball to represent the playful aspect.

The sculpture was conceived and created by Slovenian artist Edo Dolinar, who on the occasion of its solemn opening made public the letter to Don Bosco he wrote. The artist said, among other things: "What do you have to say Don Bosco, today, to the young people who enter life with such enthusiasm? (…) You are a saint of youth, dedicated to young people. For you it is a preventive education of young people through love, understanding and respect. You believe in the power of positive education, which is based on respect, trust and personal example (...) The statue is located in front of the church and next to the school, the two places most connected to you and your work. It represents respect for your exceptional contribution to the education of young people and I hope it will promote work for the well-being of young people and the Church.”

Maja Borlinič Gačnik

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