FMA and SDB General Councils Meet

FMA and SDB General Councils Meet

(ANS – Rome – January 28, 2022) - On January 26, the FMA and SDB general councils met in Rome at the Generalate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

The general council of the FMAs, gathered for their first plenary session since being elected by the Sisters’ 24th General Chapter, welcomed the Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime and the general council of the SDBs for an evening of simple and joyful fraternity, based on the Salesian charism.

Mother General Chiara Cazzuola of the FMAs, greeted the Salesians, thanking them for this visit, which took place at the end of their winter plenary session. Mother Chiara said that the visit described it as a brief encounter of acquaintance “in order not to lose sight of each other, to keep the desire for collaboration alive.” The SDB council has been working together for about two years, “while ours,” she said, “has just been constituted and is beginning to reflect in view of the discernment of the new provincials and of the planning of the six-year period.”

During Mass, recalling the life of the two congregations that are moving forward, despite the fact that they are experiencing “situations never thought of,” the Rector Major stated: “We are expected to be able to think and offer everything possible for this present moment that we must live. We are called to give the best of ourselves, to put all our energies, abilities, and wisdom into peace, that peace which is the fruit of God’s presence. We are united by the will of sharing, collaboration, and communion. The Word heard in this liturgical memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus is an invitation to live the ministry and service we have received without ever being ashamed of the Lord Jesus. It means asking for the grace to have the strength to bear witness to Jesus, to evangelize, to help young people to live their Christian faith, bearing witness with our life first of all.”

The homily was followed by a moment of silence and with spontaneous prayers: voice was given to all the needs of the Church, the world, the provinces, the Salesian educational mission, and the young.

At the end of the Eucharist, the Rector Major gave a Good Night, once more expressing the conviction that communion is a great value, a sign for everyone, and that it is more effective to go slowly on one’s institutional path, but together. It is important to keep alive and safeguard the communion and bond of the communities and provinces with Mother General, the Rector Major, and their councils. At the same time, the communion of the congregations is rooted in the one charism aroused by Don Bosco, of which both are an expression. Finally, Fr. Angel reiterated to the FMAs not to forget, as women, the specific attention and particular care of girls and women, especially the most disadvantaged.

The evening continued with a dinner prepared with care and served with elegance by the community of the Generalate. It was the moment of conviviality, knowledge, and mutual gratitude. Fr. Gildasio Mendes Dos Santos, councilor for communications, performed a song dedicated to Mother Mazzarello that he had composed. The text focused on Mornese and the saint’s passion for God and for young people.

The two councils left each other with reciprocal presentations, the exchange of gifts and the thanks of Mother General for the closeness and fraternity of the Salesians toward the Salesian Sisters. The Rector Major thanked them for the evening and wished them fruitful work for the good of the Institute and of the young.

Source: CGFMA.net