ROME: 4th November '04 --  Now that the Rector Major has arrived back in Rome (yes, just this morning), it seems an appropriate opportunity to 'wrap up' this very long visit with some comments by one group of its beneficiaries, the young people whom he met.  We have heard mainly from him, his comments to Salesians, to the Salesian Family and to young people.  Now let's hear some of the reactions of that latter group, and what better place than from where the visit began - Australia.

    'It was great to meet Fr Chávez.  He was such an easy-going and happy person with a funny sense of humour.  You could tell he enjoyed meeting young people.  You could tell he meant what he said; he really spoke from the heart.'

    'Seeing the big picture makes you realise that we are not the only ones involved in this sort of work. Fr Chávez spoke to us in a straightforward, common sense way that was easy to understand.  He showed us that the Church is not only about prayer and Mass, there are practical things it does to help people around the world and we are part of that.'

    'The day also taught me that as far as Fr Chávez is concerned we do matter in the grand scheme of things. Fr Chávez talked about religion in a way that I could relate to; a practical down-to-earth way.'

    With those comments, austraLasia brings to a close its 22 day coverage of this visit.  A special thanks to many correspondents from around the Region, and to the scribe par excellence, VK!