Valdocco, Italy, 13 January 2019 -- After the wonderful musical "Gio'" in the Valdocco Theatre on Saturday night, January 12, the final day of the 2019 Salesian Family Spirituality Days on Sunday, The Baptism of the Lord, was a chance to harvest all major insights, sharing and workshop fruits of the previous three days.
In the 9:30 Eucharist in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, at which the 10th successor of Don Bosco, Fr Angel F. Artime, presided and preached, all participants gave thanks for this gift of the SF Days and asked the Lord for the necessary graces to embark on the 'Holiness For You Too!' journey this year. The Rector Major in his homily highlighted the universal gift of Jesus Christ and his disciple Don Bosco and invited all SF groups to deepen their communion in diversity. The personal presence of 16 superiors or leaders of various groups around the altar was a strong symbolic sign of unity!
Then between many greetings, photo sessions around the large Valdocco campus the 'Conclusion' session began at 11:25 in the Valdocco Theatre. First, Fr Eusebio Munoz, the Delegate of the Rector Major for the SF, introduced the fruits of the Saturday workshop (by SF groups) on concrete hints for the journey of holiness and Fr Angel wrapped up the whole event with the proclamation of 'The Beatitudes of the Salesian Family' - a wonderful charismatic fruit of the mixed language group workshops on day two:
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that finds joy in poverty, imbued with God’s grace, it will work amongst the poorest and the marginalized youth – this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that embodies the docility and love of the Good Shepherd. It thus welcomes and accompanies youth with loving kindness, forming them toward dialogue and the welcoming of diversity - this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that accompanies others, heals the wounds of those who suffer and gives hope to those who feel hopeless, thus bringing the joy of the Risen Christ – this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that hungers and thirsts for justice and accompanies youth on their mission to actualize their life project within their families, in the workplace, and within political and social commitment – this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that has a living experience of mercy, opening its eyes and heart to active listening and forgiving. It thus becomes a home that welcomes others – this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family that seeks to be authentic, whole and transparent whilst cultivating a loving gaze that goes beyond appearances and recognizes the grace of God within each person – this is holiness!
- Blessed is the Salesian Family, that draws from the truth of the Gospel and remains faithful to the charism of Don Bosco. It thus becomes yeast for a new humanity and joyfully embraces the joy of the Cross for the Kingdom of God – this is holiness!
Before the final send-off the Rector Major gave thanks to all who contributed to the success of this second SF days in Valdocco, and invited all SF groups to take this wonderful Strenna opportunity for effective pastoral and educative animation in all 136 countries around the world.
The ADMA leadership then invited everyone to the 8th World Congress of Mary Help of Christians in Argentina, Buenos Aires (Nov 7-10, 2019) on the occasion of 150th anniversary of ADMA's foundation by Don Bosco in 1869.
For all EAO Salesian Family members there are multiple opportunity to access the rich online resources of these 37th SF Spirituality days:
- On the Facebook pages you can access important sharing (English, Spanish, Italian)
- Photos of the 37th SF Spirituality days on Flicker-ANS
Related article:
- AustraLasia 4978 (II) Outreaching Holiness of the Salesian Family
- Resources - talks of the 37th SF Days on the Boscolink
