The Rector Major started the day with a visit to the old leprosy village in Coloane where Fr Gaetano Nicosia died a few years ago at the age of 101, a Salesian who devoted all his life to serve the needy patients or brothers as he used to call them. Just next to the village, now stands a Don Bosco complex in which there are two schools, a SDB and an FMA, a student dormitory for 61 boys and a large educational camp site. At the end of the meeting and recreation with the interns and their educators, the Rector Major blessed their new oratory, named after the first Salesian missionary to Macau and protomartyr St. Versiglia, which is also the name of the school. He hoped that this new oratory, with the presence of the Salesians among the young, will become a real home.
It is an important day for the Rector Major to share with the young people as well as the members of the Salesian Family in two separate meetings. Interesting questions popped up from the crowd: his favorite food and sport. There were also tough questions. The young people asked the purpose of life and the problem of bullying. Fr Á.F. Artime encouraged the young to pursue true happiness in life and to treasure the people whom we care about in our hearts. And each one of us should take his own responsibility, both for the search of happiness and for going against bullying.
As to over 150 members of the Salesian Family, Fr Á.F. Artime emphasised, first of all, the communion we all share as one family. It is a strong witness of Christian and Salesian values. The Salesian Family is born for the young. Therefore, to keep our family alive and our heart youthful, we must continue to be present and accompany the young. It is simple but crucial. Only in this way, through our presence and accompaniment, can we educate the young towards the good and discover their vocations.
Certainly, thanksgiving to Lord in the Eucharist cannot be missed out. The holy Mass was celebrated as commemoration of our Father and Teacher, St. John Bosco. In his homily, Fr Á.F. Artime pointed out that the project of Don Bosco is truly inspired and assisted by God. Nobody could imagine that a small oratory in Valdocco, Turin, would become a home, a church, a playground, and a school for the young around the world. At present, everyone in the Salesian Family continues this mission of being present among the young so that they may be able to meet Jesus.
By Deacon Anthony Pun, SDB
