by Fr. Richard
Authier, SDB
Photos by Fr. Alain
Leonard, SDB
(Montreal – September 9) – When we first heard that the Rector
Major would not be able to visit the USA, we were saddened for our confreres
and the Salesian Family. When we heard that the Rector Major would be coming to
Montreal, we
were filled with joy.
Fr. Angel Fernandez (center) with the Salesian communities of Montreal and Sherbrooke; he’s embracing
Bro.
Gerard Richard, senior confrere of the entire New Rochelle Province.
|
Truly, JOY was the
highlight of Fr. Angel’s visit on September 7-8. Upon his arrival on Friday
afternoon, we took him to the most famous of all Canadian restaurants, Tim
Horton’s, for a quick sandwich lunch. Then he was off to do an interview with Sel & Lumière, the French-speaking
branch of Salt and Light. Even the
interviewer was impressed with Fr. Angel’s humility, joy, and
straightforwardness on youth and faith issues.
See http://seletlumieretv.org/blogfeed/getpost.php?id=21954,
starting at 18:29; they speak Italian, and there are (shorter) French subtitles.
Saturday morning’s
first important moment was a two-hour gathering with the Salesians of
Sherbrooke and Montreal. Fr. Angel shared with us his conviction that presently
the Salesian Congregation is in a very good place. Communities and confreres
are in general very serene and committed. The Congregation worldwide is greatly
appreciated for all we do for the young, especially the neediest, in so many
dreadful places of suffering. He also spoke very openly about some of our
challenges. Many of these challenges are those shared by all consecrated life
in today’s Church.
The FMAs of Montreal and Cornwall--without the RM. |
After lunch, Fr.
Angel met with the Salesian sisters of Montreal and Cornwall, Ont. Their joy
and enthusiasm were contagious. The final event of the visit was a 4:00 p.m.
encounter with youths, lay collaborators, and Salesian Family members. We succeeded
in a very short time in bringing together about 150 people. This session began
with a mime done by youths of the Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre. Then
followed a talk by Fr. Angel, the celebration of the Eucharist in three
languages, and a light buffet supper. Before and during supper, Fr. Angel was
an “angel of patience” in letting so many take personal pictures with him!
Youth mime presents challenges of the young today. |
Fr. Angel shared a
lot of his impressions from his visit to Aleppo, Syria, and how this Salesian
presence in a warzone represents the best of who we Salesians are. [Ed. note:
It seems to have been this pastoral visit to Syria in April that caused the
U.S. departments of State and Homeland Security to deny the Rector Major authorization
to visit.] He also encouraged all not to be “complainers” but “doers of good,”
no matter how hopeless a situation may seem. In his homily at Mass, Fr. Angel
asked everyone the following question: “Do you really believe that God comes to
save you, and do you open your sometimes-broken heart to Him?”
The Salesian
Family of Quebec (and Cornwall) is very grateful to Fr. Angel for his visit. As
Don Bosco’s tenth successor, he is really filled with our Founder’s spirit and
heart. The Salesians are grateful to the young people and Salesian Family
members for showing up with so much joy and energy, as well as to the “last
minute team” that helped put together the wonderful day of September 8. “Viva
Don Bosco!”
The Rector Major with young people. |
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