Salesian Rector Major says "We are here to listen and learn from you"

Salesian Rector Major visited with councillors of the South Asia region at the Salesian Provincial House, Hyderabad in India from March 1 to 4.

Salesian Society of Don Bosco is popularly known as 'Salesian Fathers'. "We are here more to listen and learn from you than to give you advice," said Salesian Rector Major Father Ángel Fernández Artime.

"For the twelve provincials and councillors of the South Asia region, living and experiencing this communion is a precious moment. This makes us more aware of the spiritual gifts that all are brothers from the same family and how they are all connected," said Father Angel.

As part of the 'team visit' to the South Asia Area, Father Artime addressed the 126 South Asian participants in attendance. The Rector Major and the General Council use the team visits as a means of inspiration.

The primary goal of these team visits is to evaluate how well the recommendations from the 28th General Chapter have been implemented and to plan for the development of the Salesian Mission among young people in the area.

Team visits generally include the Rector Major, his Vicar, and the Sector Councillors for Formation, Youth Ministry, Missions, Social Communication, and Economics, as well as the relevant Regional Councillors.

Province Superiors, Provincial Council members, and the heads of regionally significant offices, centres, and homes are all invited to attend. There are also a few well-known personalities from outside the Congregation, who have something worthwhile to say and can provide credibility to the discussion.

Father Joe Mannath spoke on "the status of religious life in the region;" Father Biju Michael, the Regional Superior, spoke on "the status of the Salesian Region today and looking forward;" Father Ivo Coelho, the General councilor for formation, and Father Gildasio Mendes, the General councilor for social communication, spoke on "growth in charismatic identity." 

The participants split off into groups later in the day to talk about the difficulties and real-world implications of pursuing the Salesian charism and charismatic identity.

The first of a planned series of seven visits, the team's trip to the South Asia region got underway on March 1, 2023, in Hyderabad, India.

The visit happens after a gap of six years, in the midst of Father Angel Fernández Artime's second six-year rectorate, which began in 2017 - Teresa Rozario, RVA Bengali Service