To choose the topic, the Rector Major met with the Superiors of the Salesian Family in Turin on the occasion of the Celebration of Mary Help of Christians. The result of this dialogue: the theme of accompaniment was chosen.
“The synthetic phrase of the Strenna,” writes Fr Artime, “corresponds to the heartfelt request that the Samaritan woman makes to Jesus at Jacob’s well. In her meeting with Him, the woman feels that she has been listened to, respected and appeciated; and so in her heart she feels impelled to ask for something even more precious: 'Sir, give me some of that water...' (the water of life to the full that you are offering me).”
Following the central theme of this gospel passage, and in the context of the forthcoming Synod of Bishops («Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment »), Fr Artime intends to explore “the importance for all our Salesian Family and for its mission in the world of cultivating the precious art of listening and of accompaniment, with conditions that need to be ensured for the demands and the service is involved in both listening and accompanyng, in the process of personal, Christian and vocational development.”
Five points through which reflection will be articulated:
- A MEETING THAT CANNOT LEAVE US UNMOVED – the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan as a model of relationships with the young;
- A MEETING THAT MOVES A PERSON ON FURTHER - like Jesus, one must first seek the good in others and, as experts in Humanity, to help in necessary discernment;
- A MEETING THAT TRANSFORMS A LIFE - In the example of Jesus who listens and accompanies, it is necessary to support a pedagogy of processes;
The last two points – WITH WHAT PASTORAL ACTION IN MIND? - IN THE COMPANY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN ... - have only been suggested and shall be further discussed.
The summary of the presentation is available on the sdb.org site.
