The heart of the testimonies was obviously marked by the theme of the Strenna: listening and accompaniment. Sister Casalis, FMA of Piedmont, through a visual and artistic journey, which begin with the contemplation of a work of art, narrated and described the typical traits of listening according to the Christian and Salesian spiritual traditions. A particularly welcome talk for its wealth of experience.
Then, Sebastiano and Titta Coticelli, two newlyweds called to bear their testimony, contributed to the reflection by bringing the point of view of a family that, in a vocational climate based on listening and accompaniment, has always tried to orientate their own choices based on the Gospel, which, to be lived in depth, needs constant discernment, constant listening, constant accompaniment.
At morning's end, the meeting with the archbishop of Turin, Msgr. Cesare Nosiglia, within the Mass he presided over: a moment to live as Salesian Family what is the centrality of the Eucharistic Christ and to remember the unique contribution that the charism of Don Bosco, in its various components and its various branches, offers as a gift of love for the universal Church.
In his homily, the prelate recalled that the Salesian charism "is founded on the Gospel sine glossa" and that "the centrality of the young, which remains the strength and constant commitment of the Salesians, helps the new generations to discover the beauty of the Gospel, and also changes their condition of life and of society."
Then he emphasized that "the decisive point of our relationship with young people is not by organizing many initiatives for them, but in communicating one's heart and friendship with Jesus." And for this he applauded the Salesian Family for knowing how to accompany young people towards the Eucharist - the "first white love of Don Bosco" - and Eucharistic adoration.
In his homily, the prelate recalled that the Salesian charism "is founded on the Gospel sine glossa" and that "the centrality of the young, which remains the strength and constant commitment of the Salesians, helps the new generations to discover the beauty of the Gospel, and also changes their condition of life and of society."
Then he emphasized that "the decisive point of our relationship with young people is not by organizing many initiatives for them, but in communicating one's heart and friendship with Jesus." And for this he applauded the Salesian Family for knowing how to accompany young people towards the Eucharist - the "first white love of Don Bosco" - and Eucharistic adoration.
The Days of Spirituality continued with a large variety of opportunities for the participants of the different groups present. Lunchtime was followed by guided tours of Valdocco: a touching moment, especially for those in the birthplace of the Salesian charism for the first time: the very first courtyard of the oratory, the Pinardi chapel, the church of St. Francis de Sales, the rooms of Don Bosco, the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians are those symbolic landmarks that have made the message of the Strenna current, a real journey from its origins to the present day.
In the afternoon conference, given by Fr Juan Crespo, SDB, the lived experience becomes a theological and Trinitarian reflection on the characteristics proper to discernment and decision in the process of accompaniment: a journey whereby the understanding of man and his vocation and the introduction into the Trinitarian mystery feed each other.
The sharing per linguistic groups, enriched by moments together of the many participants, not only facilitated greater mutual knowledge, but made the manifold richness with which the charism of Don Bosco has developed throughout history clear and evident.
Finally, at the end of the day, a moment of prayer in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, which ended with the penitential celebration.
The event can be followed live on the Facebook page of the Salesian iNfo Agency.
