Hong Kong, 10 January 2016 - This year, Salesian Family in China Province also organized the Salesian Spiritual Day in line with the RM Day. The whole Salesian House hall was packed with Salesians family members.
First of all, Fr Lanfranco Fedrigotti, Provincial of China Province shared with us that there were 3 levels of consecration and sanctification.
The first level we share the existence of God and we then exist. God created us and allowed us to exist and this is also consecration. We share God’s existence with our most beautiful existence and life. Therefore, life itself is holy and consecrated. Secondly, the mystery of the birth and baptism of Jesus was to consecrate humans and all creatures again. He sanctified the water contaminated by sin and all the creatures became holy again. This invite us to be the children of God again through this consecration. Therefore, consecrated life is important to all baptized catholics. We have to know that we are all consecrated by God. The third level was the calling for procreation. God’s creation requires humans to co-create in the future and give lives to generations. Marriage is definitely a vocation which offeres one’s life to the spouse, God and Jesus.
We also need to ensure the procreation of spiritual life and souls. Consecrated persons are needed to help those married on spiritual procreation too. Congregation is the spiritual mother. Salesians are the spiritual fathers.
Fr. Andrew Fung, Vice-Provincial added that the 3 levels of consecration related only in one word which is YES. This meant to say YES to God, Christian vocation, especially the Holy Spirit. This starts with the life of marriage and consecration which leaded to a new discovery. The life guided by the Holy Spirit would be activated, inspired and enriched. Fr. Martin Yip explained that the pastoral theme “The most beautiful virtue is chastity” was set before the launching of the strenna. This is truly guided by the Holy Spirit. The whole catholic church is guiding youth to reflect on family, sex, reproduction issues. This was really a great challenge and risk for youth on the value of marriage and chastity.
During group discussions, the Salesian family members emphasized that the family and couple relationship greatly affected the value of the youth on affective relationship. So, it is important to focus on how to support the family and couple to create a favourable environment for the growth of the youth in the family. Besides, religious value could also help the development of proper value in the youth. Another important factor is the openness of the media and easy access to internet information. These are the aspects we need to focus on in this year. Finally, we must learn how to say YES to the Holy Spirit but not to our own desires.
