This visit marked his first return to Korea in 15 years, the last being during his tenure as Rector Major in 2010. Although a decade and a half has passed—enough time for the landscape to change entirely—no weight of age could be found in Fr Chávez as he stood on the podium. Instead, with eyes more intense than 15 years ago and an undying passion, he spread the living charism of Don Bosco and a spirit of unity and love for the Rector Major to the Salesian Family worldwide. His presence brought deep wonder and a tremor of love to all attendees.
Living the “Mystery’, Not Just ‘Work’: Echoes from the Retreat
Prior to today’s conference, Fr Chávez had invited participants into deep silence and meditation through two retreat sessions for the FMA sisters and SDB confreres, concluding yesterday (the 13th). The theme of the retreat was “Witness of God’s Love in the World.” He emphasized strongly that “the fulfillment of our mission and the practice of evangelical counsels must not be mere obligations, but must be rooted in a ‘mystical experience’ of meeting God.”
Throughout the retreat, he pierced through the essence of spirituality, stating, “Carrying out the Salesian mission means not becoming an activist, but living the mystery within that activity,” asserting that activity and prayer are inseparable. In particular, his daily homilies became unforgettable spiritual nourishment for the participants. As a world-renowned scripture scholar, he exquisitely connected the day’s Gospel with the retreat’s theme, serving as an “excellent guide of souls” who led participants away from a fleeting faith and toward tasting the true love of God—that mystery—and immersing themselves deeply in it.
“Service of Authority” Born from Mystical Experience
Built upon this spiritual foundation, the conference on the 14th for the Superiors of the Korean Salesian Family groups resonated even more profoundly. Standing once again at the lectern under the theme “For a Synodal Mission: The Service of Authority as New Wine Required in the Process of Practising Governance,” he eloquently explained how the “mystery of love,” emphasized during the retreat, should be expressed as “authority” within community governance.
Emphasizing that “authority is not domination, but a service of love blossoming on the Cross,” he called upon the leaders of the Korean Salesian Family to adopt a “leadership of accompaniment”: “Walk ahead to show hope, walk behind to care for those lagging so no one is left behind, and walk in the middle to share in the joys and pains of the brothers and sisters.”
“Strive to be loved first.”
This advice, originally given by Don Bosco to Don Rua, was presented as a concrete tip derived from the “mystical experience” Fr. Chávez highlighted during the retreat. It represents the very spirituality of a Salesian who must exercise “fraternity” in their life setting and serves as a precious teaching that explains the core of the Salesian spirit, Amorevolezza (Loving-kindness), in a single phrase. He explained that God loved us first, and we, human beings who feel and realize this, respond to that love; this is the essence of the mystical experience and, he emphasized, the true meaning of Amorevolezza as spoken of by Don Bosco.
“Nec laudibus nec timore” (Do not be swayed by praise, nor yield to fear)
At the end of the conference, Fr. Chávez offered a final blessing to the leaders of the Salesian Family in Korea with the Latin maxim, “Nec laudibus nec timore” (Do not be swayed by praise, nor yield to fear). This was the earnest plea of the Rector Major Emeritus, urging them to care for the Lord’s flock with the boldness that can only be possessed by a “mystic” who has deeply experienced God’s love.
Over the past 20 days, Fr Chávez embodied the model of an “active mystic” for the Salesian Family in Korea. For the 12 years since his retirement as Rector Major, he has dedicated himself entirely to the requests of his successors, considering it his mission to witness to and preach Don Bosco’s charism with overflowing passion. Now, after a short two-day rest, he will return briefly to Rome on the 16th, before continuing his busy schedule toward the world that awaits him.
The Salesian Family in Korea, having welcomed Don Bosco’s ninth successor again after 15 years—a man who enlightens our eyes with touching and irresistible intuition—feels truly great joy and gratitude. We earnestly pray that Fr Pascual Chávez may continue, in even greater health, to convey such insight and love to the Salesian Family worldwide, leading the Salesian charism to bloom firmly.
