By Fr. Tim Zak,
SDB
Fr. Angel
Fernandez Artime, SDB, met with representatives of the Salesian Family in the
greater Toronto area on Thursday, September 6, at the Salesians' St. Benedict Church in
Etobicoke, Ont., a Toronto suburb. The Rector Major spoke in Spanish; Fr. Tim Ploch, general
councilor for the Interamerica Region of the Salesians, was the translator.
After a warm
greeting, Fr. Angel asked the groups present to introduce themselves. There
were SDBs, FMAs, Salesian Cooperators from Toronto and Montreal, DBVs, ADMA,
young leaders from the Salesian Youth Movement and the past pupils from Canada,
Hong Kong, India, Kenya, El Salvador, and Sicily, Becchi, and other parts of
Italy.
The Rector Major
gave a brief introduction to his presentation, stating that, with his
secretary, Fr. Horacio Lopez, he has visited 80 countries as Rector Major, and
in each one he has been able to meet with the members of the Salesian Family. He
stated that it is beautiful to see the groups of the SF giving hope to young
people on 6 continents. Each of the 31 groups of the SF is reaching out to
the world of youth, the poor, and the marginalized. The SF is the largest
charismatic family in the Church. This is not to make us proud, but to
understand better the responsibility we have in the Church to live the Salesian
charism; it is a very beautiful thing to realize this.
The Rector Major
went on to offer four major points that he believes are important for the SF today.
He acknowledged that some gatherings of the SF are large, with hundreds of
members present from only one group. Others, like this one of about 100 people,
are smaller, allowing the participants to feel closer to the Rector Major and
each other. All, large and small, are beautiful gatherings that should make us
feel good about being part of Don Bosco’s spiritual family.
1. Clear Salesian Identity
This feeling of
being part of the Salesian Family is beautiful. It doesn’t put us in
competition with other spiritual families but moves us to a clear Salesian
identity, and from this clear identity we are moved to generous service.
2. Witness to Communion
As SF, we can give
witness to communion, which is more than what we do in each work. Together,
there is a great feeling of family and communion among us all. Fr. Angel shared
a few reflections about the groups of the Salesian Family present at this
gathering.
* The SDBs and
FMAs are well known in the world. People know they are consecrated religious,
living in communities at the service of the young, especially those living in
poverty and most at risk.
* The Salesian
Cooperators have a beautiful vocation. Note the use of the word “vocation.” It
is a lay vocation in the Church, not just a club or group. It is one of the
most creative initiatives of Don Bosco. Don Bosco’s intention was to join the
religious and lay groups in a common spirit and mission, like two lungs giving
life to the body. Cooperators make a commitment to live their vocation in a
family—first in their natural family and then as part of the Salesian Family. There
are more than 32,000 Cooperators in the world; their potential is incredible. Think
of the incredible testimony of all these men and women of faith living their
Salesian vocation in the family!
* The past pupils
are a group that is not yet fully developed—millions of past pupils of the SDBs
and FMAs! They are characterized not so much by their diploma from a Salesian
school as by the values they learned in the Salesian environment, values which
stay in their hearts for all their lives. Imagine these millions of past pupils
being a force for good in the Church and in the world.
* ADMA is not a
group that gets together just to say the Rosary. ADMA was founded by Don Bosco
with a special mission: to remind the entire SF that if we don’t have Mary Help
of Christians in our hearts, we’re not really Salesian. So the first mission of
ADMA is to help all the sons and daughters of Don Bosco to keep Mary Help of
Christians in our hearts and lives.
* The Don Bosco Volunteers
(DBVs) are consecrated women in the Church and the world. They give a unique
witness of the Gospel in the world; without drawing attention to themselves,
they make Christ known.
The Rector Major
drew the attention of all those present to the beauty of this diverse
communion. We don’t have to campaign or make a lot of noise about ourselves to
manifest the beauty of the Salesian Family. We are challenged to live in
communion. That doesn’t mean we all do the same thing at the same time or in
the same way. Each group acts according to its unique vocation without
destroying the unity of the Family.
3. Growth of the Salesian Family
The Rector Major
gave the members of the various groups of the Salesian Family the challenge to
grow in two ways. 1st, he challenged them to grow in identity. This means to be
religious and lay members as Don Bosco and the other group founders dreamed
them to be—each member and all groups alive in giving witness to the shared
charism in each unique vocation! When we do this, it will be evident in the
world. We need to grow in our Salesian identity.
2d, the Rector
Major further challenged those present to see that the SF grows in numbers. This
is not to take pride in being numerous, but to help others discover their
vocation, offering them the possibility of being part of the SF also. It is
good for us in our Salesian vocation to share our calling and boldly to invite
others to discover their calling. Like the first Apostles, we can invite family
and friends to “come and see for yourself,” that is, to have a personal
encounter with Christ and then to respond to that encounter by living the
Gospel with the Salesian charism.
4. A Missionary Vocation
Pope Francis wants
a Church that is going out. Some groups in the Church have closed in on
themselves and are protecting themselves; this is not Salesian. We have doors
and windows open wide; we go out to meet others and to welcome them to the
community. The challenge is to reach out to those at a distance. What can we do
to help them feel welcome? One possibility is to receive immigrants. “What is
your way of going out, of being a Church that goes out?” the Rector Major
asked. If we live this way, as missionary disciples, we will have a bright
future.
These were the
main points of the Rector Major’s presentation. He went on to say that he was
happy to see young couples present. Not that the older members should be
disregarded, but the presence of young couples reminds us of the responsibility
we have to pass on the Faith and the Salesian charism, from one generation to the
next generation.
The Rector Major
then responded to some questions.
What’s your favorite Don
Bosco story?
So many stories of
Don Bosco have fascinated the Rector Major. Rather than only one story, he
likes to see how they all show that Don Bosco was continually thinking of the
young. Fr. Angel wants to be like that, with the young always in his heart. Don
Bosco wanted all the SDBs to have this apostolic zeal and pastoral charity. How
much better would we be if we had this zeal? What would the world be like if
there were 15,000 Don Boscos in the world? 15,000 SDBs who love young people as
Don Bosco did? Imagine if there were 12,000 FMAs, saints like Mother
Mazzarello, entirely dedicated to the young! We have to believe it is the Holy
Spirit working in each of us, empowering us as Salesians to have a great
capacity to influence, starting from our small circles of influence among
family and friends and moving out into larger circles, influencing society.
After visiting 80 countries,
what can you say about youths today? Is there a common threat? What challenges
do youths face today?
Young people
throughout the world are very different; they do not have much in common; there
is such great diversity of cultures, food, interests, etc. But in what is most
important, they are the same. They are the same in their hearts, that is, they
have a certain simplicity, the capacity to dream, to have ideals to build their
lives. This is what the Rector Major has seen throughout the world. Young
people are not problems; they are opportunities. There is great diversity among
them, but they all still have to face the same issues of maturing that previous
generations have had to face. In this, they have a connection with previous
generations. Today, however, society is moving very quickly, much more quickly
than it has in the past. Parents and educators have to learn to accompany young
people through processes of maturing. Today, these processes need to be more
personal than in the past, not imposing from outside nor forcing the individuals
into a group. Considering the fragility of today’s family, the process of
maturing is lengthened and has particular concerns. How can Salesians accompany
young people in their real life situations along these processes of maturation
today?
How can young people find
support to live the faith if the parish or local Church does not offer many
groups for young adults?
In order to live
our style of life with intensity, we have to take care of it. It doesn’t happen
by chance. FMAs and SDBs live in community; many lay Salesians live in
families. In this society, the Salesian Family can be creative to help young
people find meaning in their lives. This doesn’t depend on the pastor or
director or animator of the religious community. The Salesian Family can be creative
in providing space and opportunities to share life. We don’t always need
something to do, a task to accomplish. We can get together to enjoy life and
support each other on the journey. We can’t let bureaucracy prevent us.
What message can a new
teacher share with her students?
How great it is to
find a young Christian educator who want to live her career as a calling! In
the words of Pope Francis, young people today need credible Christian adults. Therefore,
live your faith in a convincing way. The most important message doesn’t need
words. In the words of Don Bosco, “Strive to make yourselves loved.” Your way
of being will teach much more than any particular lesson—your closeness to the
young, your ability to listen, your approachability.
What can the lay people do to
promote vocations, other than prayer?
First, take care
of all vocations. We can’t look only for religious or ordained vocations. We
have to see marriage also as a vocation, in which the couple continually learn
to give themselves to this calling. In the family, create a climate where young
people learn that life is more beautiful when we live it in service. The young
learn that giving oneself in service makes one happy. In contrast to the
individualism and self-centeredness typical of society today, in our homes,
schools, and churches, we need to educate the young to “gratuity,” giving
oneself away. This is key to the future of any vocation. This can be done by
forming a sense of community in the parish or youth center, where you must be
concerned for others.
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