By Bro. Jomar Castillo, SDB

UPS, Rome Italy, 12 November 2016 -- A day before the commemoration of the holy Salesian Brother, Artemide Zatti, the Salesians (SDB-FMA) attending the On-going Course for Missionary Ministry, at the Università Pontificia Salesiana paid a visit to the Salesian Headquarters at Via della Pisan for an encounter with Salesian Holiness. Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, Postulator General, gave a conference on the rich and fruitful Sanctity within the Salesian Family. 

There were some very interesting characteristics of Salesian Sanctity presented: Sanctity among the young, the missionary dimension of the Salesian charism, the dimension of heroic self-sacrifice, the background of "famiglia ferita" or dysfunctional families, vocation dimension, episcopal dimension, filial charismatic dimension, and others like Salesian soldiers, Salesian men of science... 

Pope Benedict the XVI said that the very protagonists of new evangelization are the saints: they speak the language understandable to all with the witness of life and the works of charity. Through the words of the Pope, he emphasized the holiness of Salesian missionaries found in our roaster of Saints. They have proclaimed the Gospel through their lives and have promoted the dignity and rights of people. It is also very interesting to note that the roaster is not dominated by the SDBs and FMAs but the saints are represented from 15 groups in the Salesian Family.

After the conference, the participants visited the archives, library and offices of the Postulator General. They were able to see first hand the process that each cause undergoes and how the office accompanies each cause. Likewise, it was also an opportune moment to deepen their knowledge with other holy Salesians. They were encouraged to promote our saints for them to manifest miracles for their canonization.

The morning ended with the celebration of the Eucharist presided by Fr. Francesco Cereda, SDB, vicar of the Rector Major.

Salesian missionaries, be saints for the young.