Thanks to the arrival of Fr Á.F. Artime, yesterday, Sunday 11 March, the Regional Councilor for Africa-Madagascar, Fr Américo Chaquisse, and the Provincial of the "Saint Charles Lwanga" Vice Province of AGL, Fr Camiel Swertvagher have also reached Bujumbura, Burundi's capital.
The Rector Major, accompanied as always by his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, landed on time, 9:40 local time today, at the international airport of Bujumbura, where he was welcomed by several Salesians of the Buterere community and Salesian past pupils.
On reaching the house of Buterere, before many young people, animators and teachers of the Salesian centers there to welcome him, the Rector Major enthused, "You young are the reason for our presence, you are the reason for the Salesian mission." He then spoke words of encouragement towards girls and young people, reminding them they were very important in families and in society as a whole.
The young people of the Vocational Training Center, in particular, expressed all their desire to remain by the Successor of Don Bosco's side throughout the day and only agreed to return to their lessons after obtaining some photos and a blessing from Fr Á.F. Artime.
Then the Rector Major was accompanied on a visit to the Marian shrine being constructed at the center where the engineer in charge illustrated the construction plans of the entire building site to him.
This week, the Rector Major visits all three countries that make up the AGL Vice Province (Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda) and will undertake the return journey to Salesian Headquarters on Saturday 17 March.
The AGL Social Communication team has created a special site for the Rector Major's visit.
