2023-05-16 22:15:00
May 16, 2023 / 3:15 p.m
At the beginning of the novena to Mary Help of Christians, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández, made a strong appeal to the Salesian Family and devotees from all over the world to promote love and devotion to this Marian dedication with renewed strength. , so dear to Saint John Bosco.
In a note published by the Salesian News Agency (ANS), the tenth successor of Don Bosco reflected on what he experienced in March of this year in Piura, in northern Peru, also known as the “city of eternal heat”.
The priest assures that the Salesian presence for more than a century in this place has made among the faithful a “deep devotion to Mary Help of Christians” with very significant works in favor of those most in need, something that had a great impact on him.
“The ‘eternal heat of the city’ seemed little to me compared to faith, devotion, inwardness and prayer, singing and everything that I imagined filled the hearts of those people, just as it filled mine”, described.
However, Fr. Fernández then reflected on the Salesian Family, pointing out that devotion to Mary Help of Christians has not been made known with the same intensity in all the works around the world.
He even lamented the fact that there are places where schools and efforts have been developed, but without knowing how to publicize and promote love for the Help of Christians.
“This would be incomprehensible for Don Bosco. I will tell you that it is equally incomprehensible and unacceptable for me. Because also, if in Don Bosco’s family there are people who do not refer to the Help of Christians, they will be something else but they will not be sons and daughters of Don Bosco”, indicated the tenth successor of the saint of young people.
In this sense, he explained that devotion to this dedication is not something optional for the Salesian charism, but an essential part of his spirituality.
Finally, the Rector Major of the Salesians finished his reflection by heartily hoping that Mary Help of Christians would be very special in every corner of the planet and wished everyone a happy Feast of the Help of Christians, which will be celebrated on May 24.
Abel Camasca is a social communicator and member of the Salesian Family. He was for many years a producer for EWTN News and the program “More than News” on World Catholic Radio. He currently works as a journalist for ACI Prensa.
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