He leaves a legacy of a thriving Church yearning for closeness to its people, a desire for social and ecological justice, a search for love and acceptance of everyone, and for a peaceful world ending all conflicts.
He opened the doors of the Church to welcome everyone whatever belief, language, identity, or citizenship. He welcomed everyone to the table of humanity seeking to bring down barriers and serving love, justice, peace and hope.
He was a strong advocate of all those who lived on the fringes of all communities within the Church and outside of the Church. He created brave spaces in the Church for all those who were marginalised. He lovingly offered Hope with his smile!
He lived his papacy not from a distance but amid the marginalised. He was their voice. He chose to be near the poor, the outcasts, the migrants, the prisoners, the refugees, the sick, the elderly, the homeless and all those in destitution. He urged us not only to pray for these people but to act and become disciples of change for those who are most in need.
For us past pupils and friends of Don Bosco, he was one of us! He happily remembered his time in the Salesian parish when visiting his grandmother and at the Salesian school in Ramos Mejia in 1948. He recalled in esteem his Salesian education and lived an outstanding life of a true son of Don Bosco by being an upright citizen and a good Christian.
As we immortalise his presence amongst us, let us continue to bring light where there is darkness, let us bring hope where there is no hope, let us turn injustice into justice, let us show care in an uncaring environment, let us welcome those who are unwelcomed, let us bring healing to all pain and division. Let us keep his soul alive amongst us.
With deepest respect and fraternal affection in Don Bosco,
Bryan Magro
President of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco
