Romania - The visit of the Rector Major for the twentieth anniversary

03 October 2016

(ANS - Constanta) – A true Salesian Oratory spirit, gratitude from the local Church, civil authorities and people, and little signs that the charism is taking root - these were the main features of the Visit of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to Constanta, to mark the twentieth anniversary of Salesian presence in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

Fr Á.F. Artime arrived in Constanta on the evening of 30 September, coinciding with the start of the weekend of celebrations organized by the members of the local Salesian Youth Movement. He immediately received a warm welcome from the young Romanians.

In the Saturday morning, accompanied by his secretary, Fr Horacio López, the Rector Major, got to know the situation of the Salesians in Constanta. The work is authentically Salesian. They have neither parish nor school, but an oratory and youth-centre where Salesians and young people play together, a day centre that provides educational support for young people, a family home that takes care of the needy, and professional and computer laboratories where students prepare for the future.

Later there was time for celebration with videos and testimonies that retraced the progress made in the 20 years. The young people from Bacau gave an artistic performance.  The Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and Moldova, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, publicly thanked the Salesians for their work, as did some local government officials involved in youth contexts.

In the afternoon, after a meeting with the Salesians from the three houses in Romania and Moldova, there was Mass at which the newly-ordained priest Fr Bogdan Baies presided. Fr Á.F. Artime preached the homily in which he invited all the faithful to be always rooted in Christ like Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus.

On Sunday morning the Rector Major met the staff and employees of the three Salesian houses. Then he concelebrated the Eucharist at which Archbishop Ioan Robu of Bucharest presided.  He was the one who welcomed the Salesians to Constanta twenty years ago. The Archbishop strongly emphasized his gratitude towards the Sons of Don Bosco for having given everything without asking for anything.

More photos on ANSFlickr

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