Rome (Italy). From October 30 to November 2, 2019, the Provincial Chapter of the Roman Province of St. John Bosco (IRO) took place in Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia.
The participants were 79, between FMA, Laity, and Salesians of Don Bosco. The Gospel passages of Jn 2: 1-12 and Jn 4: 43-54 accompanied the journey, also through the reflections of Fr. Carlo Maria Zanotti, SDB.
The Lord’s presence was felt strongly in the certainty that He is present in contemporaneity, enters, and acts; without forgetting Mary, the One who is presence, guide, hope.
The Chapter was enriched by the presence of Prof. Cecilia Costa, who provided a reading of the problems of the present time, highlighting the fragmentation that causes emotional illiteracy and prevents the construction of a solid identity; moreover, she spoke of the urgent need of young people to be not only listened to, but also recognized.
Father Erminio Antonello, Vincentian, helped the assembly to reflect on the aspects that can make the Communities capable of generating life, offering two ideas: life flows and expands with affection, the emotionally warm bond; the evil of the Communities is the ineffectiveness of faith, that is, the inability to express esteem for others and to recognize their preciousness.
The six Commissions worked tirelessly and the moments of the assembly were well participated. It was important to have prayed, listened, and lived moments of joy TOGETHER and it was precisely this experience of sharing with its richness, came the answer to the proposed theme: where there is Mary, where there are jars ready to be filled with water, where there is a community that desires, for itself and for all, the fullness of life and joy, there Jesus can work the miracle of the gift of good wine.
A ‘Seventh Commission’ with offering and prayer, worked to support the work of the Chapter members: the sisters of the Rest Home of Rome “Mother of Divine Love” to which those of Cagliari and Rome joined “Blessed Sr. Maria Romero.”
To encourage the involvement of the Province, a ‘small press office’ was set up composed of the younger sisters who, with smartphones in hand, took pictures and had interviews with the participants to share on the social networks and in the section of the website dedicated to the Provincial Chapter.
The Chapter was an illuminating experience during which we walked together under the action of the Spirit to find ways that allow us to be life-giving communities. The reflections made and the documents drawn up will become everyday life and, above all, paths in favor of the growth of young people whom we already meet and those far away. For this reason, in the life of the Communities and in the Province meetings we will continue to talk about it and to verify: we grow with small steps!
