Monday. nº 30 ( 1 PART) OPENING MESSAGE FOR THE YEAR CELEBRATING THE BICENTENARY OF DON BOSCOS BIRTH Ángel Fernández Artime, sdb Rector Major 199 years ago, on a day like today, a child came into the world, John Melchior Bosco, in these very hills, the son of humble peasant folk. Today, as we begin the Bicentenary of this historical event, we thank God profoundly for what he did through his intervention in history, in the real history of these hills that make up the Becchi. In one of the articles of the Salesian Constitutions, it says that “With a feeling of humble gratitude, we believe that the Society of St Francis de Sales came into being not merely as a human venture but by the initiative of God… Through the motherly intervention of Mary the Holy Spirit raised up St John Bosco to contribute to the salvation of youth. The Spirit formed within him the heart of a father and teacher, capable of total self-giving …, The Church has acknowledged Gods hand in this, especially by approving our Constitutions and proclaiming our Founder a saint.” The Salesian charism is the gift which God, through Don Bosco, has given the Church and the world. It was formed over time, from Mama Margarets knees to friendship with good teachers of life and especially through everyday life in the company of young people. Today we find ourselves as the Salesian Family of Don Bosco, a Salesian Religious Family, along with many civic and Church authorities, friends of Don Bosco, and young people, amidst these very same hills where he was born, declaring the beginning of celebrations for the Bicentenary of his birth. After three years of preparation and one of celebration, the point of arrival will be next August 16, 2015 when it will be 200 years since he came into the Church and the world for the good of young people.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 20:27:40 +0000
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