Montenegro - Integration and testimony: Rector Major's legacy in Podgorica

04 June 2018

(ANS - Podgorica) - A short visit, lasting less than two days, but full of stimuli and ideas, in which a large number of children, young people and adults of all nationalities, cultures and religions were involved: what the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, accomplished at the Salesian house in Podgorica, Montenegro, where the 10th Successor of Don Bosco reaffirmed his message of openness and integration in Salesian works and encouraged the Salesians to bear witness to Christian life.

Fr Á.F. Artime arrived at the city airport on Saturday morning, 2 June, and received the homage of a number of young people from the youth center of Podgorica, the Provincial of Slovenia - on which the Montenegrin house depends upon - Fr Marko Košnik, and former Provincial, in charge until only a few days ago, Fr Janez Potočnik.

On reaching the Salesian house, the Rector Major and his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, were involved in an afternoon of animation and art by the children of the oratory. At the end of this joyful encounter, Fr Á.F. Artime blessed a new statue of Don Bosco placed at the entrance of the Salesian parish.

He later met with the laity active at the Salesian house and the Salesian school, and maintained that their service was more than a job; it was a mission that included professionalism and heart. The first day ended with a festive evening with local Salesians and the Salesian "goodnight", wherein he invited all to cultivate mutual respect and integration in diversity.

On the second and last day, the Rector Major first met his confreres active in Montenegro, together with other specifically from Slovenia and from Scutari, in Albania, and spoke about the state of the Congregation at a global level and listened to the situation of the Slovenian Province reality. Then, he indicated several guidelines for the coming years, urging them to go back to praying with young people, to deepen their spirituality so as to bear testimony with their own lives, and not to be afraid of the future.

As the highight and end of his visit, Fr Á.F. Artime met the parish community and concelebrated the Eucharist presided over by the bishop emeritus of Bar, the Salesian Zef Gashi.

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