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Magazine - May 2008 |
 Yes, the roots that you have in your hearts remind us that at Turin a, with Mary Help of Christians, you are all “Welcome and Welcome back home!”, and a special welcome to those of you who are here in Turin for the first time.
Your Association wished to celebrate this occasion here, in the land of its origins where, in the shadow of the Basilica, it was born 100 years ago. Today your are here to witness to the fact that after a century of history, immersed in multiple cultures and diverse peoples, your tree continues to deepen its roots here where it can draw on the life juices of Valdocco and Mornese.
My wish is that you can live this experience precisely in this way, as a true return home.
What does returning home mean?
1. First of all it means a heart that waits. It is the heart of every FMA who, as mothers, sisters, friends, have always accompanied you and always awaited your return!
They saw you leave several years, or many years ago, once you finished your studies and set out on life’s adventure.
They accompanied you in your life choices with affection, trust and much prayer; sometimes anxious for your goals which required sacrifice, often enthusiastic with you for the joy of success and positive results, always thinking of you and your families, especially in the more difficult moments. That heart with accompanied and waited for you is joyfully welcoming you today.
2. Returning home includes revisiting place, things … This, too, is important. Here in Turin – meven those of you who have never been here – will find loving memorable places: the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Don Bosco’s urn, his belongings in his rooms, the courtyard, the fountain, the Pinardi shed, Mother Mazzarello’s urn, Dominic Savio’s urn, the House of the first FMA’s … Our heart beats hard at seeing so many reminders of life that speak and narrate marvelous stories of holiness.
I hope that each one of you will experience the hospitality and outreach of all of this, just as that of the Houses where you lived as pupils, centers where both the Sisters and all of you desired to be another Valdocco and Mornese.
3. Finally, returning home means being renewed, receiving the gift of a break that refreshes, bringing back joy, motivation, strength to your lives.
I hope that you will feel that this time and space to really be renewing for each of you; that you find that climate necessary for recollection, reflection, prayer, time to make courageous promises of Christian commitment with simplicity and holy joy, just as you learned from your educations in the bygone days of the oratory and school.
I hope that you will be able to live these days as a stop at an oasis where you can draw up all that is need to begin anew life’s journey, filled with new strength in the Salesian Spirituality.
Return to your Countries with that Hope that the new centenary will be the beginning of a dream I am also happy to represent all of the Italian Provincials who are sharing this extraordinary event with you; I bring to each one of you their greetings and prayer.
I warmly welcome our dear Rector Major, Fr. Pascual Chávez, who is present together with his Vicar, Fr. Adriano Bregolin, entrusted by the Rector Major with the responsibility for the Salesian Family.
I joyfully greet the Mother General of the FMA, Sr. Antonia Colombo, accompanied by Sr. Maria de los Angeles Contreras, General Councilor for the Salesian Family, along with Sr. Carla Castellino who is making the extraordinary visit to the Piedmont region.
With the embrace of the Past Pupils I wish to greet Ms. Carolina Fiorica, the whole world-level Council and all the presidents and delegates of the various federations present here.
I warmly greet and thank Fr. Peter Migliasso, Provincial for the Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta region, the Superiors of the various groups of the Salesian Family, along with the civil and religious authorities present here with us today.
To all of you, a very warm welcome and gratitude.
My hope is that the new centenary will be the beginning of a dream that continues throughout time and history, where each one can bring the light of faith and the strength of love to the Church in all parts of the world. |
Suor Celestina Corna – Ispettrice Piemonte |
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