by Salesian Family
MUMBAI, NOV 20, 2017: The representatives of the Salesian family namely the Cooperators, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, FMA Sisters and ADMA members met the 10th successor of Don Bosco, Father Angel Fernandez Artime, the Rector Major, who was in Mumbai on November 12.
As the Rector Major entered the refectory with Father Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Regional Superior of South Asia and Father Horacio Lopez, Rector Major's Secretary, he was greeted with the popular hymn 'Raise Your Voices'. Then the Provincial Delegate, Father Diego Nunes thanked the Provincial, Father Godfrey D'Souza for giving the group an opportunity to meet and interact with the Rector Major.
"We are indeed privileged to meet so great a personality – the Father of the Salesian Family. We have the council members of Cooperators, Past Pupils, ADMA, FMA and SMI sisters. Both co-operators and past pupils are agents of social change by taking up activities and projects for the needy of the society and especially the youth. ADMA is more of a spiritual group getting involved in the parish activities. Thanks Father Angel for your support and the importance given to the Salesian Family. We continue praying for you. Long live Don Bosco," Father Nunes, said.
The Rector Major then addressed the gathering, saying, "The support of the Salesian Family is precious to me. Today, I was supposed to be in another province but requested them to permit me to spend a day with you. I am happy to meet you as a family. We find the Salesian Family wherever we go. Thanks for being a part of this family. Probably this is the biggest religious family with 31 branches," he said.
"This is both a reason to rejoice and a responsibility to shoulder. We need people who can bear witness to their beliefs and values. You lay people are doing an excellent job of reaching out to so many families where we cannot reach. We have to share with others all the good things that we learn by being a part of the Salesian Family. We priests feel that we are never alone with you around. I invite you to be a lively and dynamic family."