By Fr. Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, SDB

       March 2021

       Dear Superiors, Confreres, Members of the Salesian Family and Friends,

       I would like to greet all of you from the Generalate in Sacro Cuore, Rome. Today is the anniversary of the Rector Major’s election for a second term one year ago. The St Joseph’s Community at Sacro Cuore celebrated this day with simplicity and prayed for him as well as for the members of the General Council elected on those last days of the 28th General Chapter.

       The Rector Major shared some of his reflections regarding the past year. This was a year full of turmoil, anxiety, but also of surprises. Everything seemed to come to a stop because of the Covid pandemic.

       However, a strange thing happened; the Congregation continued its mission in those difficult days when it came into solidarity with the whole world through its sons and daughters in countries, cities, villages and streets. More than 100 Salesians have died from this pandemic, the latest being the 52-year-old Provincial of the Province of Bolivia. He had just been appointed.

       Indeed, as I can see, Salesian services have never ceased. Many programs and actions of solidarity with the poor have been implemented and gradually we accept this new situation and must adapt with new initiatives. Formation programs, studies, pastoral ministries are always ready to be changed in some form and structure, but still maintain their goals. Our Provinces continue to have confreres who are willing to take up the services of animation and governance, to admit confreres to making their first profession, perpetual profession, or to be ordained to the priesthood.

       One year has passed since the Congregation entrusted me with the service of accompanying our East Asia–Oceania Region [16.03.2020]. During this year I stayed in Vietnam for nearly 9 months and came to Rome in early December 2020, together with Brother Nguyen Duc Nam SDB. My duty [as for other General Councillors] was to integrate myself as soon as possible into the way the Congregation works at the central level. Since I arrived half a year later than the others, my integration was even more urgent, especially in learning the languages I need to communicate with.

       Besides, although our meetings online with superiors, and confreres, members of the Salesian Family, could not substitute for physical encounters, in some way they have helped me to understand better the situation of the EAO and the Salesian works in different countries. Despite still being hindered by this Covid epidemic, and for as long as it continues, I believe that we are ready to continue to meet, share and exchange with each other and help each other in what is necessary through this means of communication.

       In addition, for me this was a year of listening, a profound experience that I am privileged to have at this moment. I was obliged to listen more, learn more, and my words are those of questions so that I could get answers for better understanding. I believe that listening is the first lesson in order to discern what God wants us to act on.

       I wish all of you a Feast of St Joseph filled with his protection. May he intercede and protect all of us as he did with his son, Jesus.

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