Panama City. On January 28, 2019 at Panama began the first day of the Triduum in preparation for the solemnity of St. John Bosco.
After the experience of WYD with Pope Francis, many young people gathered together again to live the feast of Don Bosco, who is very beloved in Panama. Devotion to the Saint of the Young is felt deeply by the Panamanian people. Every city of the Country celebrates his feast in various ways, with specific artistic and folkloristic accents.
About 300 young people from the various realities of Mary Help of Christians Province of Our Lady of the Angels (CAR) will live the Feast of Don Bosco in Panama. There will be time to visit the Panamanian Valdocco and the cultural and historic sites of Panama City as well as times for recreation and prayer together. At St. John Bosco Basilica, they lived the triduum of preparation that began on January 28, 2019 with the Eucharistic celebration presided by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime.
On this first day of the Triduum, the Rector Major referred to the theme of the Strenna: “Sanctity also for you”. With his passionate style, he encouraged the faithful and the young participants to take the journey of holiness seriously, as an accessible vocation for every Christian. He emphasized that this does not mean doing extraordinary things. “In these days, I will present two things”, the Rector Major said in his homily.
How to reach holiness in a simple and daily way: “Holiness is a reality for every Christian. The journey toward holiness consists in doing everything possible to accomplish God’s dream…Pope Benedict XVI told the young people, ‘Do not be afraid of what God asks of you’.
Don Bosco make his boys feel attracted and enthusiastic about sanctity. ‘Don Bosco was great’ Pope Francis reflected, because ‘he knew how to see young people with God’s eyes’ and this is why at the Valdocco of his time there were many Dominic Savio’s. And what did Don Bosco tell him? ‘Be always happy’. This is a program for a marvelous life: live our life with depth and great joy, live our duties responsibly and live because God dwells in our heart”.
He then encouraged the young “to make God’s dream for each of them become a reality. Be saints. Sanctity gives deep joy. It is realized in the responsible accomplishment of our duties”.
After Mass, each one received the blessing with the relic of Don Bosco.
