Elias Diaz sdb MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 7, 2009: The Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chavez, and his Vicar, Fr. Adriano Bregolin, are presently visiting the Chennai Province on the occasion of its platinum jubilee. On this auspicious occasion, the members of the Salesian Family gathered around the Rector Major and his Vicar to felicitate them. It was indeed a gathering characterized by typical Salesian simplicity, cordiality and a cheerful spirit. The 
Rector Major shared with the members of the Salesian Family several important thoughts on the Salesian Family. He began by defining the Salesian Family as a spiritual and apostolic movement and went on to explain the significance of these words. Don Bosco, he said, is not merely the founder of the Salesian congregation, but rather, a patriarch of a large spiritual family. The Salesian Family is a large and dynamic reality full of life and vitality. We are invited to grow numerically, spiritually and charismatically. Each group is responsible not just for its own growth but the growth of the whole Family. We need to grow in our Salesain charismatic identity. We are a part of a spiritual movement, fruit of the Holy Spirit. To grow in this knowledge, we need to familiarize ourselves with what is laid down in the Common Identity Card and the Common Mission Statement of the Salesain family. For the Salesian family to become a vibrant reality, we need a change of mentality. We need to shift emphasis from excessive autonomy to the synergy of a vast movement of persons; we 
need to underline not the autonomy of individual groups but the synergy of the whole family. In the Salesian Family, each group is incomplete without the other. This change of mentality must start with the Salesians. In the afternoon, Fr. Adraino Bregolin met the Salesian Family delegates of 11 provinces of the South Asia Region. He shared experiences and ideas on rejuvenating the Salesian Family in the region. Fr. Bregolin pointed out that the Rector Major’s six year plan for the Salesian Family was an excellent tool for launching this process of rejuvenation. He briefly commented on the salient features of the plan and asked us to reflect together about the local needs, pull together the resources available and choose interventions that are concretely possible. In an open session, the delegates shared their experiences of animating various groups of the Salesian Family, highlighting the major problems and challenges they faced. Fr. Bregolin said the responsibility of animating various groups rests on the Salesian delegates. They have a pivotal role to play in enthusing and energizing the various groups. He invited the delegates to study the 6 yea
r plan and implement it in their provinces. Besides deepening our knowledge of the Salesain Family, it is our responsibility to promote a culture of the Salesian Family as a vast movement of persons who, in different ways, work for the good of the young. The Salesian Family has great potential in South Asia with 12 groups of the Salesian Family working in it. With a well-coordinated plan and focused animation, this vast army of apostles would do wonders.
Rector Major shared with the members of the Salesian Family several important thoughts on the Salesian Family. He began by defining the Salesian Family as a spiritual and apostolic movement and went on to explain the significance of these words. Don Bosco, he said, is not merely the founder of the Salesian congregation, but rather, a patriarch of a large spiritual family. The Salesian Family is a large and dynamic reality full of life and vitality. We are invited to grow numerically, spiritually and charismatically. Each group is responsible not just for its own growth but the growth of the whole Family. We need to grow in our Salesain charismatic identity. We are a part of a spiritual movement, fruit of the Holy Spirit. To grow in this knowledge, we need to familiarize ourselves with what is laid down in the Common Identity Card and the Common Mission Statement of the Salesain family. For the Salesian family to become a vibrant reality, we need a change of mentality. We need to shift emphasis from excessive autonomy to the synergy of a vast movement of persons; we 
need to underline not the autonomy of individual groups but the synergy of the whole family. In the Salesian Family, each group is incomplete without the other. This change of mentality must start with the Salesians. In the afternoon, Fr. Adraino Bregolin met the Salesian Family delegates of 11 provinces of the South Asia Region. He shared experiences and ideas on rejuvenating the Salesian Family in the region. Fr. Bregolin pointed out that the Rector Major’s six year plan for the Salesian Family was an excellent tool for launching this process of rejuvenation. He briefly commented on the salient features of the plan and asked us to reflect together about the local needs, pull together the resources available and choose interventions that are concretely possible. In an open session, the delegates shared their experiences of animating various groups of the Salesian Family, highlighting the major problems and challenges they faced. Fr. Bregolin said the responsibility of animating various groups rests on the Salesian delegates. They have a pivotal role to play in enthusing and energizing the various groups. He invited the delegates to study the 6 yea
r plan and implement it in their provinces. Besides deepening our knowledge of the Salesain Family, it is our responsibility to promote a culture of the Salesian Family as a vast movement of persons who, in different ways, work for the good of the young. The Salesian Family has great potential in South Asia with 12 groups of the Salesian Family working in it. With a well-coordinated plan and focused animation, this vast army of apostles would do wonders.