Italy – Rector Major to Palermo’s young: "You are the real treasure in a Salesian house"

13 October 2022

(ANS - Palermo) - It was a busy day yesterday, Wednesday, Oct. 12, for the Rector Major in Palermo, the city he is visiting because of the conferral this afternoon of a degree honoris causa in Pedagogical Sciences from the University of Palermo. After greeting the youth of the Salesian Institute “Don Bosco - Villa Ranchibile” early yesterday morning, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime spent the day meeting with Civil Service youth, visiting the Salesian Vocational Training Center (VTC) "Adolescent Jesus" and presiding over a Eucharist for the local Salesian Family.

"You young people are the real treasure in a Salesian home," the Rector Major began, offering the Salesian "good morning" thought. On this occasion, speaking to them about the meaning of vocation in each person's life, he invited them to have in their hearts the desire to give the best of themselves. He concluded, "I truly invite you to be good people, who carry a good heart, humanity... People with the ability to cast their gaze on others as well."

At the Salesian VTC "Adolescent Jesus," the Rector Major was enthusiastically welcomed by the youth, the educational community, and the Rector of the work, Fr. Arnaldo Riggi. "Welcome home!" began the Rector in greeting the Rector Major. "Because, if it is true that every Salesian home is your home, dear don Ángel, this one is even more so, because we already feel you as one of the family and that is why we, with the simplicity of children, want to open our hearts to you!" On the occasion, the Rector retraced the history of the Institute and presented the various elements that make up the Institute today: the VTC, with its two sectors of Mechanics and Catering; the oratory strongly embedded in the social fabric of a poor neighborhood; the Salesian youth sports facilities, the theater and center of the Salesian Cooperators, and the Union of Past Pupils of Don Bosco. And without keeping silent about the challenges, especially inherent in the difficulties in continuing to offer Vocational Training, he reiterated the community's commitment to be an educational presidium.

The subsequent, moving speeches by the young people of the work favorably impressed the Rector Major, who, for his part, in the message offered to those present, exuded the love and passion of a father addressing his children, inviting them to Salesian hope and joy and exhorting them to "always be dreamers like our dear Father, Teacher, and Friend: Don Bosco."

Later in the afternoon, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco participated in a moment of the general formation day addressed to the National Civil Service volunteers with the Salesians who flocked from all the branches in Sicily. He listened to the testimony of five volunteers working in different fields, which gave rise to a beautiful moment of discussion and sharing, and for his part, he reminded the volunteers several times that every gesture, even the simplest, can leave a great mark in the lives of the young people they meet.

In the last event of the day, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, presided at Mass at the church "San Domenico" in Palermo, in a celebration attended by members of the local Salesian Family and several friends of Don Bosco from various parts of Sicily. Also present were Bishop Saro Vella, Salesian bishop of Madagascar, and Fr. Juan Carlos Perez Godoy, councilor for the Mediterranean Region.

At the end of the celebration, which also marked the start of the school year for the "Don Bosco" - Villa Ranchibile community, there followed the greetings of Fr. Giovanni D'Andrea, Provincial of Sicily, Fr. Domenico Saraniti, Rector of Villa Ranchibile, and Sr. Angela Maccioni, Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Sicily, and the awarding of a plaque of merit to Salesian Fr. Angelo Astuti.

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