After starting the Extraordinary Visitation, in early March, from the Provincial House, Fr Romero then reached the presence in Bongi-Recife, where he stayed from 5 to 8 March. In the first place, he had a dialogue with the Salesian community, made up of 4 professed religious and two aspirants; then, he got to know the reality of the parish of “Our Lady of Fatima” and had a dialogue with the Parish Council and the Salesian Family present there. “These were days marked by profound joy for the whole parish, especially in this moment of social distancing. Receiving Fr Gabriel was gratifying and encouraging: we were fascinated by his simplicity, by his spontaneous and welcoming way towards everyone,” a parishioner testified.
During these same days, Fr Romero also visited the "Don Bosco" school, where he was warmly welcomed by the educational team; he listened with interest to the institute's history and current mission, described to him by the Dean, Mirelly Silva, and by the heads of the various addresses; and he was able to attend and participate in a digital lesson, through Google Meet, with over 80 young people.
After the stop on 9 March, at the "Sacred Heart" community in Recife, the Regional Councilor continued his itinerary with a visit, on 15 March, to Carpina, where the Salesians animate both the "don Rinaldi" school and the parish "St Joseph". In the educational institute he met with the educational team, noting the challenges, achievements and perspectives of the center; at the parish, he offered a concise and effective program for it to be a “Salesian” parish: to be young; to be popular, that is, for the poor; to be missionary, that is, outgoing.
After reaching the city of Natal on Sunday 21 March, Fr Romero began his visit to the Salesian community, which runs a parish and an educational center. Introducing himself and presenting the purpose of his mission to his confreres, the Regional Councilor explained: “In these days I shall be able to visit the communities, the chapels and I will be able to speak with some of the representatives of the various activities. We will have some online meetings and I will speak with my Salesian brothers who live in this Salesian house and then I shall bring the report of this visit and the thanks to the Rector Major. It will be a pleasure to enjoy these days, getting to know the city and our Salesian parish.”
Finally, in the online appointment of Monday 22 March with the Pastoral Council of the "St John Bosco" parish of Natal, Fr Romero urged the laity to take an active role and the whole community to maintain communion with the local Church, following archbishop Msgr. Jaime Vieira Rocha.
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/12507#sigProIdeaf0ee7b38
