Pope Francis sent a message to the members of the Salesian Congregation, founded in 1859 by San Juan Bosco, whom he encouraged to “serve others without keeping anything for oneself.”
In his message, addressed to the Salesians on the occasion of his XXIX General Chapter and the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition of Don Bosco to Argentina, the Holy Father greeted the new Greater Rector, Fabio Attard.
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Maltese priest Fabio Attard was chosen last March 25 During the celebration of the General Chapter in Turin (Italy), becoming the eleventh successor of San Juan Bosco.
The new Superior General takes over from the Spanish cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, who last January assumed as a prefect of the Dicasterio for the institutes of consecrated life and the societies of Apostolic Life.
The Holy Father wished Fr. Attard “a good job”, while thanking Cardinal Fernández Artime “for the service he has provided to the Institute in these years and now offers the Universal Church.”
Unable to meet them due to their convalescence, Pope Francis encouraged them from a distance to “live with confidence and commitment this time to listen to the spirit and synodal discernment.”
Remembering the issue chosen for his general chapter “Salesians passionate about Jesus Christ and delivered to young people”, the Holy Father said that passion and delivery implies being fully involved “for the love of the Lord and serve others without keeping anything for oneself, as he did, in his time, his founder.”
“Although today, with respect to then, the challenges to face have changed in part, faith and enthusiasm remain the same, enriched with new gifts, such as interculturality,” he added.
He also thanked them for the “good they do throughout the world” and encouraged them to “continue with perseverance.”
“I bless your chapter works from heart, as well as the brothers scattered throughout the five continents, and I ask you to pray for me,” concluded the pontiff.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
I am graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. I have been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News in the Vatican for two years and I am currently a correspondent from Europe based on Spain.