Hajja Salesjana

Sacro Cuore, the Salesian generalate in Rome, we had a visit from an extraordinary pianist who has traveled the world giving concerts and who has been part of great philharmonic orchestras. She’s a former student of the Salesians who looked up to a certain Salesian, who has since passed away, as a great reference point and role model. She wanted to offer us a concert in the atrium of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart as a tribute to Mary Help of Christians, whom she loves very much, in gratitude for her life up to now. I share this because our dear friend, who was accompanied by her daughter, gave us a wonderful concert, of exceptional quality — and she’s 81 years old! At that age, perhaps an age far past when some of the elders in our families say they no longer feel like planning or doing anything that involves effort, our dear friend, who practices her piano exercises daily, moved her hands with wonderful agility and was immersed in the beauty of the music and its execution. Time stopped for her in that hour. In her simple way, good music, a generous smile at the end of her performance, and the offering of some orchids to the Virgin Help of Christians was all we needed on that wonderful morning. My Salesian heart couldn’t help but think of those boys and girls and young people who perhaps haven’t had or no longer have anything to motivate them in their lives. She, our concert pianist friend, 81 years old, lives with a lot of peace and, as she told me, continues to offer the gift that God gave her. Every day she finds more reasons for it: another life lesson and another testimony that doesn’t leave the heart indifferent. That’s why, my friends, I thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the good we’re doing together. No matter how little it is, it helps to make our world a little more human and more beautiful. May the good Lord bless you. Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya - Unsplash.com Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado - Unsplash.com 28 Lulju-Settembru 2024 hajja