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5205(II)_Lay People in the Salesian Family

Salesian Family Delegates formation in Rome - Day 2

September 21, 2019

By Fr. Savio Angel Sanchez, SDB
Delegate for the Salesian Family, PGS
Photo: by Br. Benedict Baek, KOR

Pio XI community, Rome, Italy, 20 September 2019 -- Among the 500,000 or so members of the 32 Salesian Family groups, the large majority are lay people, both Catholics and also faithful of other religions (Don Bosco Alumni). How to understand, appreciate, trust and form lay people was the focus of the 2nd day of SF delegates formation in Rome. Large numbesr of lay people from different SF groups shared their vision and vocation experience with our SF delegates, including also the World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, Mr. Antonio Boccia.

Mr. Renato Cursi, a Salesian Cooperator (Don Bosco International, EU office) presented his reflection on “The Lay Person in the Church.” He underlined the importance of talking about the laity because the laity are the most numerous in the Church and also in the Salesian Family. Hence, the vocation of the lay person must be recognised and the great contribution he or she can make in the work of evangelisation “and in the Christian animation of the temporal order.” Renato’s presentation was packed with teachings drawn from the Scriptures, the Church’s Magisterium as well as documents of the Salesian Congregation. He capped off his presentation with a powerful statement: “The lay person is called to live in the Church and in the world ‘ut Deus daretur,’ that is, to order temporal things ‘so that God can give Himself’ to all men and to all young people, especially the poorest.”

Two others shared how they are living their vocation as lay members of the Salesian Family. Mr. Tullio Lucca is a member of ADMA. This Association founded by Don Bosco is celebrating its 150th anniversary of foundation this year and there will be an International Congress in Buenos Aires next November 2019. Ms. Emma Ceccarelli is a Salesian Cooperator and a mother of 4 children. There are around 30,000 Salesian Cooperators in more than 100 countries. Among other things, Mr. Tullio emphasised how spouses can apply the Preventive System of Don Bosco within the context of marriage and family life. Emma shared how she responded with her 'yes’ to many invitations of God: first to be a Christian, and then a spouse, and then a mother, and finally a Salesian Cooperator. Some comments and questions were put forward on certain issues concerning family life, parenthood, and today’s youth. There was an exchange of ideas between the speakers and the Provincial Delegates for the Salesian Family.

Before the afternoon session, Fr Gino Berto, the Rector of the hosting SDB community of the Istituto Salesiano Pio XI addressed the assembly. He spoke about the history of this Salesian House, why it was named after Pope Pius XI, the significance of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in this place, and an interesting fact that happened in this place during the World War. The Rector and the Economer at the time secretly took care of 70 Jewish youth and “hid” them in the cupola of the Church. Recently, one of those 70 came and presented himself. He is now a priest! This year, this Salesian House is also celebrating its 90th anniversary of foundation.

The afternoon sessions were focused on reading and studying the document “The Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family” published in October last year. Fr Eusebio Muñoz introduced the document and pointed out the concrete terms that need to be emphasised. Fr. Joan Lluis Playa spoke briefly about the outline of the document which comprises of 4 parts. He then assigned to each working group a particular part of the document to study and comment on. At 6 p.m., everybody gathered for the reporting of the results of the discussions in the different working groups. Fr Eusebio gave some feedback on what was reported and recapped the session by indicating important points for consideration in the upcoming General Chapter 28.