The Rector Major, accompanied by his secretary, Fr Horacio López, together with the Provincial of the West Indies, Fr Francisco Batista, and his Council, met with young people and invited them to be fearless and to "go against the tide" so as to reach higher goals. "We have celebrated Don Bosco and the whole movement he founded on behalf of poor young people. It's up to you to continue this adventure."
Mass began at 18.30 with Fr Á.F. Artime presiding and Archbishop Louis Kébrau, Archbishop Emeritus of Cap-Haïtien, concelebrating. With paternal affection, the Rector Major said: "Dear young people, the world needs you. The world needs young people full of hope and strength. Do not be afraid to live and to dream, but above all, look for a deep happiness in God. "
After the Eucharistic celebration, there was a meeting with the FMA at the Provincial House where Fr Á.F. Artime was first welcomed by the children of "Hogar Escuela Santo Domingo Savio." Then, in the next fraternal gathering he met various Salesian past pupils and benefactors, as well as Fr Jean Paul Mesidor, Superior of the Salesian Province of Haiti, and the Minister of Education, Dr Andrés Navarro, a Salesian Past Pupil.
The Rector Major received the gift of an image of the "Virgen de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia", patroness of the Dominican people, and a painting depicting the life and culture of the Haitian people. The fraternal meeting ended with some words of the Rector Major. "Even today educational miracles happen whenever we reach the heart of a child or young person who feels loved. Today a boy came to me and said: 'Father, I am not coming to ask for a photo, but can I give you a hug?'. That embrace means that there is something good that has been done to this young man. Today I am here to give thanks for the dedication and loyalty and love that have been brought to the Salesian mission."
