The new Delegation, as highlighted in the official documents of the Salesian Congregation, aims to promote a harmonious development of Salesian work in the Balkans, coordinating and animating pastoral activities, with a view to the future establishment of a Vice-Province.
The traditional meeting between the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians was also held on this occasion to plan the joint educational action for the new pastoral year. The Assembly was led by the Provincial Delegate for the AKM, Fr Gino Martucci, accompanied by the Provincial IME Provincial, Fr Gianpaolo Roma.
One of the most heartfelt moments was the entrusting of the new Delegation to Our Lady of Good Counsel, at the Basilica of the same name at the end of the Eucharistic Celebration.
Precisely in that holy place for the Albanian Catholic community, in the summer of 1992, the Salesians celebrated the first Mass, among the ruins of the church destroyed by the totalitarian regime of Enver Hoxha, entrusting their mission and the young people to Mary.
Today, after more than three decades, the Salesian Family finds itself in the same place where, on 25 April 1993, Pope John Paul II laid the foundation stone of the current religious building; and in this context of deep spirituality, he renewed the request for protection to Our Lady for the journey of the Delegation and officially installed Fr Martucci as its leader, for the first three years 2024-2027.
"It was a family moment, with joy for a life that continues," said the Superior of IME, Fr Roma, during the Mass. "Like a father who sees his son, now mature, leave his home to build his own life, this is how we look at this new Salesian experience. A father who, while letting his son go, continues to guarantee him closeness and support so that he can grow fully in the mission to which he is called".
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/22360-albania-the-first-assembly-of-the-akm-delegation#sigProId40df5bff37
