The most important time of the Timor Leste visit

By Our Own Correspondent

Dili, Timor Leste, 31 January 2018 -- Finally, on the second day of the visit in Timor Leste came the most expected time for the Salesians. Apart of the large outdoor celebrations with hundreds of youth or Salesian Family member, in the afternoon of January 31st the 10th successor of Don Bosco dedicated two and half hours for the familiar meeting with the professed Salesians SDB.

After the presentation of each local community member present in the Audio Visual Hall in Don Bosco Comoro, Fr. Angel contextualized this meeting: After the GC27 (April 2017) already met the Salesian confreres in 59 provinces and 70 different countries. Although we celebrate the Feast of Don Bosco far from the Valdocco in Turin, all of us were born as Don Bosco Salesians there thanks to the Holy Spirit.

The Rector major shared in the language of heart (wonderful symbiosis of Portuguese , Spanish and Italian) six major points about the beauty and future of the Congregation in the world as well in Timor Leste: “We have a great future in these two countries of ITM Vice-province. But there is one condition – we need a clear charismatic vision!” And Fr. Angel went on to explain how the present challenges of the Congregation are to become motivations for our charismatic growth.

Among the main points stressed was the need for growth in fraternal communion, growth in Salesian identity that need to be consolidate, need of solid preparation of the young confreres. The important role of the Salesian Brother for the future of the charism in Timor Leste was stressed with a vigour and all clapped their hands to the 15 Brothers present in the hall!

With a passion the Rector major also underlined the charismatic future of Timor:“Your future is in the province, with a simple lifestyle, province living with the poor and for the poor people! This is your major strength. Your main treasure is the mission for the humble and poor youth of Timor Leste. Don’t’ be misguided!”

The final part of the fraternal talk was focused on vocation discernment, accompaniment of all confreres, with explicit points about the weakness and remedies for the Salesians within the world wide Salesian community with 14.000+ SDB and 432 novices.

Followed few punctual questions about the shared participatory decision making process, animation and government, about how to help the confreres in irregular situations. Fr. Angel always stressed in this answers the healthy situation of the Salesians at present time as well our duty to build strong foundations of the future province of Timor Leste.

The first full day of Rector Major’s visit was concluded with common prayer of Vespers and fraternal meal in the provincial house.

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