So? What can we do? Do we condemn ourselves to the inertia of the educational and social emergency that caused so much damage and so many tears? Or do we make use of creative hope, as children of a dreamer, and inventiveness, for the good of our dear young people? Let's make use of hope, which is a sure win!
Times have changed and will continue to change. These are pandemic times like we've never seen. How did the whole world collapse so quickly? In the upheaval of the innovations that this reality has brought us, there remains the audacity, innovation, challenge, and presence of those who have appeared on the front lines: the brilliant, generous, and ever-present educators.
The scenario has changed, but they are still there. From every corner of the world, news of the creative, innovative, committed and daring way with which so many educators have demonstrated the importance of their mission reach us. They are not physically "here" because they are confined to their homes. With effort, but with creativity. With devotion and great generosity.
Whom we call educators could have hidden, disappeared from the scene, justified themselves with many things, but no. They decided to stay "with Don Bosco" and "with the young".
Yes, dear educator, dear teacher, dear lay co-responsible for our mission, dear "whoever you are" and wherever you are: this message is for you and I simply want to say THANK YOU!
Sincere thanks that becomes a chorus of voices. So polyphonic, multicolored, perhaps a little out of tune, but with the right rhythm of what must be said. Today Don Bosco, Father and Master of Youth, would have no other word than this: "Thanks!". And surely he would be proud of you educators.
History will remember you for many things ... But it will remember in particular the names of those who have not given up being present, when it was more necessary to be there, to live and feel, like heroes of an era; you who, without being in the hospital, wanted to show another gaze, a look of creative hope, so that education was today, as always, the noblest and most loyal of human actions.
Thank you, dear educator, men and women, whatever your name is, for never giving up on who you are, despite everything. To be there. Simply, thank you!
Fr Tarcízio Morais, SDB
Head of Schools and VTCs of the Youth Ministry Department