By Fr János Andrásfalvy, SDB
The day before, 11 August, the General Councilors and representatives of the 10 Provinces involved had the opportunity to discuss the themes of Missions, Social Communication and the Salesian Family during three related sessions.
Regarding Missions, addressed in the morning, Fr Guillermo Basañes, General Councilor for Missions, mentioned that the missionary horizon must always be kept broad, wide, ample, so as not to let the Salesian missionary spirit "be slowly eaten away," as in illness.
In the afternoon, Fr Filiberto González, as General Councilor for Social Communication, opened the workshop on the second theme. True Salesian communication begins, he pointed out, with the authenticity of life, with care for community life and apostolic spirit; hence, in such a way, it develops always bearing in mind what is the aim: "the Glory of God and the Salvation of the Young."
The Rector Major's Delegate for the Salesian Family, Fr Eusebio Muñoz SDB, then spoke to promote the ongoing collaboration between the various branches of the Salesian Family who, independently, share the spirituality of Don Bosco and wish to work together with increasing synergy.
On the closing day, the Rector Major presided over the morning Eucharist and recalled that, despite the novelties that emerged from the various operational realities, the Salesians must never forget the young who are abandoned and most needy.
Subsequently, representatives of the participating Provinces discussed the strategies to be implemented in the near future, and the Rector Major delivered his final report. He thanked the Hungarian Province for hosting the event, and Fr Tadeusz Rozmus SDB, Regional Councilor for Central and North Europe; and concluded by inviting the Salesians to be courageous and to keep in mind the thoughts and guidelines on Youth Ministry that the Congregation has developed and continues to develop - including via the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome – and to put it all into practice with the neediest of youths.
