by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, MAR 25, 2019: Father Angel Fernandez Artime, the
10th successor of Don Bosco, while meeting 10 novices from the Nashik-based
Salesian Training Institute at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Matunga on
March 25, urged them to 'shun' individualism and promote fraternity.
A meeting with novices, the Salesian Family, a Salesian
parish, and school were all on Father Artime’s agenda on day three of his
pastoral visit to the Province of Saint Francis Xavier.
While addressing the novices, who were present with their
novice master, Father Kenneth Pereira, the Rector Major urged them to always
remember three important points. “First, our primary identity is that of
persons consecrated by God. It is He who has called and consecrated us to
Himself,” he said.
“Second, you are here in order to become Salesians and not
just priests. If you have joined simply with the desire of becoming priests, it
would be better to find a bishop who will accept you into his diocese.”
“Third, the most powerful witness that we can offer the
world in the witness of our fraternity....the ‘family spirit’ in which we live
together. This is more glaring and evident than the witness of our vows which
are largely personal and private. Therefore shun all the individualism and
promote fraternity.”
The Rector Major then steered the novices away from being
overly ambitious, saying, “Your overriding desire should be to serve the young,
especially the poorest and the neediest of them.”
Alfred Menezes, a novice who met the Rector Major reflected
on his meeting, saying, “The meeting with Father Angel was refreshing. We were
pleasantly surprised by his open and welcoming attitude. We could feel his love
and concern and we all felt immediately at home with him. He gave us an
insightful talk through which we learnt much about Salesian life.”
Shaun Fernandes, a novice from the Province of Panjim,
added, “Meeting the Rector Major is an unforgettable experience. What touched
me was Father Angel’s humility, love, joy, and most of all his warm and loving
hug. Just like Don Bosco, he assured us that he would always be there for us.”
The Rector Major then met the office bearers of the various
units of the Salesian Family at the Provincial House. The Delegate of the
Salesian Family, Father Diego Nunes welcomed the Rector Major and the
dignitaries. He read a report outlining
the various activities of the Salesian Family in the province.
The report mentioned the province has 160 Cooperators; 15
past pupil units mainly consisting of people of other faith committed to the
vision of Don Bosco; ADMA, a group dedicated to the devotion of Mother Mary
with 60 members. "I am indeed happy to meet our Rector Major with our
Salesian Family members, meeting the Rector Major is indeed a moment of grace
" said Fr Nunes.
The Rector Major in his address to the Salesian Family spoke
about how Don Bosco formed various associations of ADMA and Cooperators. The
formation of past pupils emerged on its own and he said that it was
incorporated on June 24 by Don Rinaldi.
“We are all mediators of peace and we should spread the
spirituality so that others can see our witness,” Father Artime said.
He then visited St. Joseph High School, a Salesian school in
Wadala. After meeting the school staff, management and students, he attended a
cultural programme. He then celebrated the Holy Eucharist on the occasion of
the Feast of Annunciation at the Salesian parish of Our Lady of Dolours in
Wadala. Father Vivian D'Souza, the Parish Priest, gave a brief history of the
parish and thanked the Rector Major for gracing the parish with his presence.
In his homily, Father Artime encouraged the parishioners,
like Mother Mary, to say ‘yes’ to God. “The feast we are celebrating today
(Feast of Annunciation) is beautiful. God himself is asking permission from
Mother Mary,” he said, adding, “So the message that God seems to be giving is
today is this: if we say yes to what God wants in our life, He will never go
wrong...we will never go wrong.”
“Every Christian man, woman or child has to ask God this
question: what do you want of me? Whenever we say yes to Jesus in faith, we
cannot go wrong. I pray that God may bless you.”