Presentation of the Strenna 2019 to FMAs 

and other members of the Salesian Family

By Cl. Nilesh Dodiyar, SDB

Rome -- On 27 December 2018 at 4 p.m. the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco presented the strenna to the FMAs and other members of the Salesian Family at the International institute of Mary Help of Christians, in the presence of the Superior General, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, with all the counsellors and all the other members of the General House community, along with the Sr Eusebia Palomino, Mother Angela Vespa, Mother Ersilia Canta, Mary Mazzarello, Sr Teresa Valse Pantellini communities, FMA novices from two different international novitiates and FMAs from the Roman province, other members of the Salesian Family such as the CSG, ASC,Pupils of Don Bosco and some SDBs.

The program started with words of welcome from Councillor for the Salesian Family. In his presentation the Rector Major said that this Strenna gives importance to holiness and pastoral education. We are all in need of love, he said. He invited us to give importance to the marginalized and provide a service to humanity by being with the youth. He asked us to live happily in Jesus and be like him to others and to ourselves. Holiness is for everyone, given to all and it is a God-given grace. It is not something given to a few. All of us can be saints. We need to live our life with joy, patience, simplicity in profound union with Jesus. We need to be like our Mother, Mary's 'here I am'. The profound indications for holiness which he provided include living our lives with God and others as a life of virtue. He invited us to give testimony of communion with each other, accepting life as a mission, practising Jesus' beatitudes on a daily basis. He invited all of us to be fatherly and motherly to the young. Our presence and guidance is very important for the young. Let the presence God shine through us us always.

At the end, Mother Yvonne thanked the Rector Major for this beautiful invitation to holiness for all of us. She thanked him for being the personal author of this strenna, and presenting it to the Salesian Family. May this year be a year of light and joy for all of us and may many more live a life of holiness.

It was a wonderful moment for all present, also allowing us to share cheerfully with each other. As Don Bosco said, holiness consists is being cheerful. Long live Salesian holiness.

---

---