Zambia – 40 years of Salesian presence: celebration with the Rector Major

28 April 2022
Zambia – 40 years of Salesian presence: celebration with the Rector Major

(ANS - Kabwe) - The rich program of appointments of the Rector Major in Zambia, within the framework of his Animation Visit to the "Mary Help of Christians" Vice-Province of Zambia-Malawi-Zimbabwe-Namibia (ZMB) included another important moment yesterday: the Mass of Thanksgiving for the 40 years of Salesian presence in the country, the landing point for the subsequent birth of the Vice-Province. "It was not us who did good and beautiful things during this time: it was God who guided the development of the Salesian presence in these four countries. We, we have only given our small contribution. Today, therefore, is a day to thank God for what He has accomplished, through this plan of His, for the good of all," noted Fr Ángel Fernández Artime in the homily of the celebration.

The celebration was solemn and saw the participation of many prominent figures: in addition to the Regional Councilor for Africa-Madagascar, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, and the Superior of the ZMB Vice-Province, Fr Krzysztof Rychcik, there were also Msgr Clement Mulenga, Bishop of Kabew, accompanied by his Vicar General, and a Zambian Parliamentarian, representing the country’s Government. 

The Rector Major observed and participated with true interest in the symbolic gestures of the local culture that accompanied the celebration, and that made him become, more and more, a welcomed member of the Zambian community.

Afterward, in the afternoon, Fr Á.F. Artime had a moment of open and frank dialogue with the Zambian Salesian Family - in particular, with the Salesian Cooperators and the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco. The Tenth Successor of Don Bosco greeted and encouraged all present, noted the strength and energy expressed by such groups in many parts of the world, and recalled the value of the unity of the Salesian Family, one big tree with many branches. At the same time, he encouraged all those present to make new ones blossom, and spoke specifically about fostering and spreading the devotion to Mary Help of Christians - an element that he defined as central to a true Salesian - so that ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians) group, currently present only in Malawi, could be present in Zambia, too.

In the evening, always accompanied by Fr Owoudou and Fr Rychcik, Fr Á.F. Artime had a first moment of dialogue with the Salesians of the Vice-Province. On this occasion, in addition to answering questions from his confreres, offered several important recommendations: he reiterated the importance of devotion to Mary Help of Christians; he remarked that young people must always be at the center of the heart of every Salesian because a Salesian who knows how to do many things, but who does not have at heart the needs of the children and young men and women around him is useless for the mission; that a great challenge in the Church is to prepare religious who have their vocation at heart; and that we must never forget the poor and the people who are victims of calamities, wars or diseases such as Covid-19.

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