Day 17
3 March 2020
As in the previous day, the prayers (lauds, meditation, and Mass) were held by language groups. The English group gathered at the Succursale. The confreres from the United States–West (SUO) and East (SUE) were in-charge of the liturgy. Fr. Timothy Ploch, the Regional Councilor for Interamerica (INT), presided over the Eucharist with the SUO Provincial, Fr. Ted Montemayor, the SUE Provincial Fr. Timothy Zak, and the SUE Delegate, Fr. Michael Conway. In his homily, Fr. Tim Ploch shared on St. Catherine Drexel whom we commemorated today, a saint special to the United States since she is the second American citizen to be canonized. She is a model of generosity, one who gave up her wealth to enter religious life and later founded a congregation and lived with the poor.
The Capitulars gathered at the Aula Magna for the first program in the morning. Fr. Manuel Cayo moderated the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The spokespersons of the four commissions then presented their respective contributions for the first nucleus (Priority of the Salesian Mission Among Today’s Youth) of the study of the theme of GC 28. Then there was a round of interventions from the Capitulars and also from the young people who have been invited. The two young persons from the Philippines, both from the North and the South, Andre Launio (FIN) and Zenaida Ann Miranda (FIS) intervened in the assembly.
In the afternoon and until evening, the Capitulars went to their respective Commissions (the four commissions working on the theme, or the juridical commission) for further work. The commissions working on the theme began discussing the “recognizing” stage of the second nucleus, the Profile of the Salesian. The Editorial Group (or redactional or drafting group) also began to work on the first draft of the document.
After the evening prayer sponsored by the Africa-Madagascar Region, Fr. Rafael Montenegro, the Provincial of Venezuela (VEN), gave the Good Night Talk. He spoke about the Salesian work in the country, a work that continues to be rich in missionaries coming from other countries. The Province also has a wide range of services. He also shared concerns about the situation of the country that is very challenging. He ended with a hopeful tone: that the serious and pressing situation has brought about solidarity and patience. He then presented a video on the Rector Major’s visit a few months ago.
