The Eucharist was presided over by the metropolitan archbishop, Salesian Cardinal Riccardo Ezzati, along with his auxiliary bishops, episcopal vicars, priests, deacons of the diocese and several Salesians, including Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, Provincial of Chile.
In addition to celebrating the 456-years of the Archdiocese in the service of building the Kingdom of God, Card. Ezzati awarded 19 people with the prestigious "Cross of the Apostle St. James", given to those missionary disciples who stand out for their exceptional testimony of love for Jesus and the Church through their invaluable pastoral service, evangelization, human promotion, Catholic education, and charity.
Among the prize-winners were the Salesian priest Fr Hugo Strahsburger, currently Coordinator of Pastoral and Vocations at the Salesian opera of La Serena; César González, a layman in the provincial youth ministry, and Sr Petronila Sepúlveda, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Fr Strahsburger was also a Vicar of the Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese, and is an expert and Doctor of Pastoral Theology, graduating with a thesis on "Youth Pastoral in the Church of Chile".
For many years, Mr. González has been Director of the Higher Institute of the Youth Ministry (ISPAJ), and has done research and published on Youth Pastoral. He also collaborates with the Episcopal Conference on the subject of pastoral service.
Sr Sepúlveda, a 87-year-old religious, is still enthusiastic and close to young people, especially in schools where he served as pastor.
The Cardinal recalled the advent of St. James's faith, pointing out that "we celebrate it in this cathedral, this place we like to define as the common roof of those who wander in the streets of this city."
