Hajja Salesjana October-November 2020

15 H AJJA S ALESJANA 3. In which way are you part of the Salesian Family? During the years 1974 - 1976, and 1978 - 1979, I was the Spiritual Director at the Salesian Aspirantate at Savio College, Dingli. During the years 1978/79, I was also the Vocation Promoter. Between 1979 and 1982, I was the Rector and Head of Savio College. In 1982, I was the Provincial Delegate for the Salesians in Malta and between 1985 and 1992, I was appointed as the World Confederation Delegate for the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco. I became Vice Rector of St. Patrick’s School between 1994 and 1996. In April 1996, I was appointed Director of the Osanna Pia Salesian Youth Hostel. For the last 20 years, I worked at St. Patrick’s School being in charge of fund raising, the Library, the SDB Archives and Cultural Activities. I am also the National Delegate for the National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco. 5. Who is Don Bosco for you and what strikes you most about him? Here I need to refer to 2 books that in my opinion best describe our Founder, Don Bosco: The book by Carlo Salotti – Il Santo Giovanni Bosco and Chi Era Don Bosco – Biografia Fisio- Psico – Patologica written by Don Bosco’s doctor and published some 40 years after Don Bosco’s death. Both books, present the intimate figure and character of this great modern educator. What message would you like to pass on to the readers of Óajja Salesjana? Young people need to be loved. They are not malicious by nature and need role models and guidelines to identify themselves with. In Malta we are experiencing a ‘Cultural Crisis’. What used to be bad is now considered good and what used to be good is now considered bad. We all should be role models for youths and lead by example. My final appeal to all those who would like to collaborate in the Salesian Mission is to come forward and give us a helping hand in our mission. Our doors are open for everybody. 6. 4. Is there a phrase or a sentence from Don Bosco that inspires you in your life? ‘Ineveryyoungperson,apointofgoodness is accessible and it is the primary duty of the educator to discover that sensitive cord of the heart so as to draw out the best in the young person’ – Don Bosco I am sure that young people can be saved through education and formation. The welfare of youth was and still is my priority and it is also very demanding on my priestly mission as a Salesian. Using the Preventive System of Don Bosco bears fruit and in my opinion should be used more by professional educators.