austraLasia

ALA_5278

Common charismatic journey for the benefit of the young people

Sacro Cuore, Rome, 20 December 2019 -- The final SDB - FMA General Councils meeting before the Salesians of Don Bosco's GC28 took place on 19 December 2019 at Sacro Cuore, SDB General House. Just a few days before Christmas, the encounter started with a well-FMA-animated Eucharist in the Rooms of Don Bosco (Custodian Br. Cosimo Cossu) The Rector Major, Fr. Angel F. Artime, presided and preached. The Mass saw the full participation of 15 FMA and 15 SDB General Councillors.

There was no specific time for study, common reflection or sharing as usual, but the main theme according to the Rector Major was Thanksgiving for the common charismatic journey of the past 6 years. During the Mass many thanksgiving prayers were offered for the gift of Don Bosco, of young people and the Salesian Family to the whole Catholic Church.

The fraternal meal was animated not only by Christmas songs with the guitar accompaniment of the Rector Major, but also by spontaneous sharing from the FMA Mother General and the traditional exchange of Christmas gifts. Sr Yvonne Reungoat expressed her deep conviction regarding the value and impact of these half-yearly meetings of both General Councils for the whole Salesian Family and especially at the province level of SDB and FMA councils: 'Even if we don't reach some very concrete goals, each encounter gradually shapes our common Salesian way of thinking and fosters greater synergy in the Salesian family.'

The Salesians of Don Bosco are starting their 28th General Chapter in 58 days time (16 February 2020), while the FMA Sisters are busy preparing their 24th General Chapter that will open next September 2020. These joint meetings of both General Councils have already entered their 26 year, with the first encounter having taken place in 1993.