24 February 2020
The day began with the prayers (lauds, meditation and Eucharist) in different language groups. The English language group gathered at the Succursale Church as was done last week.
After breakfast, the Capitulars gathered at the Aula Magna for the assigning of the official seats for the chapter. There was also the testing of the systems of voting and simultaneous translation. All this was computerized.
The system of voting was immediately tested with the election of the three secretaries and the three plenary assembly moderators. This was followed by a personal reading of the Regulations of GC 28. Before going for lunch, the Capitulars were asked to choose their Committee for the chapter. There are five committees–four that will be working on the chapter themes and one for the juridical issues.
The afternoon session began with a review of the amendments of the regulations from the last general chapter. After the break, the Capitulars went to their respective committees and elected their respective Presidents, Reporters and Secretaries.
Before the evening prayers, the Rector Major informed the Capitulars about the state of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, what measures the government is doing. He said that some activities would have to be adjusted, like the cancellation of the Ash Wednesday recollection in Chieri.
After vespers, the Rector Major, Fr. Angel Fernandez, blessed the medal of Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco that all the Capitulars later received. He also gave the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. In this way, we express our trust in the protection of our Blessed Mother to help us in this time of great need, as we also express our solidarity with those who are affected by this scourge of the coronavirus.
The Good Night Talk was given by the FRB Province (France-South Belgium-Morocco-Switzerland) with Fr. Daniel Federspiel (Provincial) and Xavier Ernst (Delegate) taking turns at the microphone. They spoke about their work with young people, especially the challenge to citizenship. They focused on their work in Southern Belgium. Since Europe is characterized by secularization and since young people are born into this culture, there is no choice but to form the young person to be an “honest citizen.” In doing so, we also help him discover that he is called to be “a good Christian!” This is concretized in a program called “Challenge Citizenship” held in a setting–a castle in Farnieres in which groups of young people are formed–as good Christians (Sacraments, retreat, spiritual meetings, SYM) and responsible citizens (education to rights and duties, sense of responsibility towards others and the planet, and solidarity). This particular work (that involves two Salesian communities–SDB and FMA with lay people, and volunteers) summarizes well the challenges of the European Provinces.
For dinner, members of the EAO region including the FIN and FIS provincials and delegates joined the table of the Rector Major.
