RMG – The Rector Major speaks about the identity of the Salesian today

13 December 2021

(ANS - Rome) - Salesian consecrated identity is the leitmotif of the second edition of the cycle of in-depth interviews on the Programmatic Lines following the 28th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation - a cycle organized by the "Centro Studi Opera Tabernacoli Viventi" in collaboration with the Conference of Salesian Provinces of Italy (CISI) - Formation Sector. Last Saturday, none other than the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, spoke on this topic, and here we provide a summary of his answers.

“This six-year period will have to be distinguished by profound work in the Congregation to grow in charismatic depth, in Salesian identity, in all the phases of life, with a serious commitment in every Province and in every Salesian community in order to come to say, like Don Bosco, ‘I have promised God that until my last breath I shall have lived for my poor young people,’ states the first Program Line for the 2020-2026 term.

What is it that is truly close to your heart in having chosen this as the first of the programmatic lines for this 6-year term?

When we think of ourselves, of the Salesian mission, of our works... It seems like a dense "bosco or forest" with so many things in it; but what is close to my heart is to say: "Be careful, not everything has the same importance or value!" At the center there must be our charismatic identity, the fact that each one of us can say: "I am and feel a true Salesian of Don Bosco in following Jesus." Fr. Viganò already pointed out that we don’t need genericism, and in today's world, which is even more complex, we need to think about who we are, what we offer, and why. As Salesians we are, by calling and in our response, people in love with God, who have seen in the charm of Don Bosco a beautiful way to spend all their energies. And to what end? To share this life with children and young people.

How to be both sensitive to the depth of the spirit and attentive to the challenges of this world, as was Don Bosco?

To the extremely topical question, I answer on the basis of what I have reflected upon for the Strenna 2022, on the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales: "Everything is based on the ability to love". If I feel in the depths of my heart an extraordinary fascination for Jesus and I feel deeply loved by God, and if when I am among the young I really feel in my place, then I have matured a heart capable of loving and these two elements give us all the creativity to give the answers we need for this our time. The pandemic has caused many problems all over the world, and also to the Congregation, but it has also shown us the great creativity of the Salesian world. I am not afraid that we will not have the ability to give answers to the ever-new needs of our time: the point is to have a heart warmed by love inside, capable of loving.

Why can returning to Valdocco be a path to the future and not a return to the past?

Returning to Valdocco, as the Pope has also told us, means finding our "Galilee", our appointment with the Risen Lord, who precisely from Galilee, the land of the ordinary and hidden life of Nazareth, sends its own throughout the world. For us Salesians, returning to Valdocco is not nostalgia; it means taking a step towards the source where we can find the theological place for the encounter with God in the young people of today: it is our direction for the journey that lies ahead of us.

What is the vocational challenge today for all Consecrated Life?

In the first place, Consecrated Life is not a simple journey: it is not for those who want a peaceful life.

Secondly, Consecrated Life is a journey of humility. We cannot make ourselves mighty, or be proud ... If this was the case in the past, certainly today there is no more room for this. This is the time to be humble, to walk in unity and to add up our efforts.

Finally, as is clearly stated in this first programmatic line, one must maintain the centrality of Christ in one's personal life. If this is not the case, sooner or later human frailties emerge, are seen and make themselves felt.

Does the centrality of Christ "function" even in non-Christian contexts, where over 60% of the Salesian presences operate?

Yes, absolutely, even in countries where one cannot even pronounce the name of Jesus or Mary. Because this centrality in those contexts means helping all our children and young people to live a life in harmony with the values of the Gospel with honesty and goodness. We do this through our presence and witness of life.

Even where we cannot speak explicitly of the Risen Jesus Christ, we can speak of the God of us all and help to grow with humanity according to the heart of God.

The complete interview, conducted by Fr Silvio Roggia, SDB, then continued with the questions received online from the listeners; and it is always available on the Facebook page of the Salesians of Italy.

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