The meeting, organized by the Provincial Youth Ministry team, began with a prayer led by Fr Claudio Cartes and followed the line of work developed in recent months, deepening the themes of the 28th General Chapter of the Congregation (GC28).
Fr Chávez presented an analysis of the letter written by Don Bosco in May 1884, which appears in the Salesian Constitutions, through an "educational reinterpretation of the context and the complex youthful condition, which requires us to perceive the novelties of the historical moment we are living."
In his reflection, the IX Successor of Don Bosco underlined the six essential points of the letter, which clarify the dialectic between the presence of the charism and the work of educational or social services. For Fr Chávez "it is urgent to make our works a real presence among young people."
The first point is knowing how to use the language of love, which requires that the Salesian be a passionate cultivator of the languages of love. The second is to understand young people, trying to understand youth culture and what happens in their inner world. The third is to give importance to happiness, keeping in mind the figure of Don Bosco, because for him happiness and joy is a privileged way for evangelization. The fourth is to be present, looking for familiarity with young people, especially in recreational activities. "Being for" is not enough, you have to "be with" young people. The fifth is to overcome formalisms and the sixth is to share actions, letting people know that educative love becomes meeting, trust, and hardworking cordial collaboration, fostering youthful protagonism.
The meeting ended with questions and comments from the participants, who thanked Fr Chávez for his presentation.
Rosa Cárcamo, Dean of the San José High School in Punta Arenas, wrote: "Thank you very much, Father Pascual, for this moment which reaffirms and clarifies what our charism is and should be."
The Provincial of the Salesians in Chile, Fr Carlo Lira, expressed to all those present that "the Province has made its commitment to re-signify our presence. Let us try to revitalize the response we are giving to young people, as consecrated persons and as lay people. There is a sincere effort on the part of the Province to live up to the challenges that are posed to us on an educational and social level."
Provincial Vicar Fr David Albornoz also attended the meeting, as did the education team of the Province, consecrated Salesians and lay people.
