Hajja Salesjana January March 2018

4 As we begin a new year, the wise words of our Rector Major shared with us during his visit to Malta a couple of months ago still resonate in my heart and mind. I would like to share them with you all dear readers as a target for us all to aim at throughout the forthcoming months in the hope that we may continue to make a positive difference around us by being authentic persons, without masks, in our here and now. First and foremost, he was very clear about the central role of love in our lives. He even asked us whether we carried anybody in our heart and whether we prayed and interceded for them because if there was no body, then our heart would not be really and truly alive. For me this was a clear echo to what the Gospel of St. John, the beloved disciple of the Lord reminds us: It is only when we love others that we live our vocation as disciples of Jesus who told us that he who lives in love, lives in God and God lives in him. The Rector Major, knowing full well the pulse of the Salesian Family all over the world and aware of the dangers it faces, also wisely and very openly encouraged us not to moan, grumble and look nostalgically at the past and at how things used to be done before. Such an attitude stunts growth and breeds negativity. Indeed, while learning from the past, we must look forward and move on with the signs of the times otherwise we get stuck in a rut. This reminded me of what another Rector Major, Don Egidio Vigano’ had once ably said to all the Salesian Family i.e. to proceed forward with Don Bosco and with the times and not to proceed forward with the times and with Don Bosco as that would be a pitfall. Knowing and distinguishing the difference between both attitudes is crucial if we are to be carriers of life and sustain new beginnings. Undoubtedly, our world, our society, our Church, our Salesian structures, our young people and the family have all changed immensely since the time of Don Bosco. Hence while keeping to what is perennially good, the way we answer to the needs of the young and minister to them and their families within our Church and structures must also adapt accordingly. Finally Don Angel requested that we accompany the young and help them discover their vocation in life so that they can live life to the full. For us to do so, we also must be true and genuine persons who live our vocation in life to the utmost, whether we are priests, religious or married persons. Our witness speaks volumes to the young. Hence, as 2018 dawns, may these inspiring and practical thoughts of Don Bosco in our world today, assist us to become better persons wherever we may be. Happy new year! Fr. Sandro Camilleri sdb “TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH DON BOSCO AND WITH THE TIMES AND NOT WITH THE TIMES OF DON BOSCO” E D I T O R I A L Let us proceed forward. . .