Let us cultivate the art of listening and of accompaniment

- presentation of the Strenna 2018 -

By Our Own Correspondent

RMG, 26 July 2017 -- The Rector Major, Fr. Angel F. Artime presented the Strenna 2018 for the Salesian Family on 16 July 2017, the Feast of Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel.

"Synthesis – a summary of what the presentation of the Strenna will be sent out at the end of this year. I begin by saying that this is not the commentary on the Strenna 2018; here I limit myself to offering some hints.

The synthetic phrase of the Strenna 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 appreciated; 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, we would point out, in the context of the coming Synod of Bishops («Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment »), 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 the conditions that need to be ensured, the demands and the service that is involved in both listening and accompaniyng, in the process of personal, Christian and vocational development."

Presentation is divided in five parts:

1. A meeting that cannot leave us unmoved (art of listening)


2. A meeting that moves a person on further (gift of discernment: recognize - interpret - choose)


3. A meeting that transforms a life (accompanying like Jesus)


4. With what pastoral action in mind (walk with, make responsible for education, credible adults)


5. In company with the Samaritan woman

The 8 page long presentation of the Strenna 2018 is now available on all main Salesian world languages, also on the Boscolink, many of the EAO translators already started their patient work to make this precious inspiration for the whole Salesian Family.

Some 'hot' feedback after receiving the 2018 Strenna presentation:

• "Thank you, I’ve started working on this. "
• "I like STRENNA 2018! God bless you too!"
• "Thank you for the 2018 Rector Major's Strenna! It will be very helpful for our community and our young people!"
• ...

Resources:

• 2018 Strenna presentation - ENG, ITA, POR, ESP

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