Rome (Italy). On December 27, 2018 Strenna 2019 was presented to the whole Salesian Family at the Generalate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Rome.
The title of Strenna 2019 is “SANCTITY ALSO FOR YOU” and elaborates the biblical text “That my joy may be in you” (Jn 15:11).
Present at the event were Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General of the FMA, and the General Council of the FMA; Fr Filiberto González, General Councilor for Social Communication; Fr Eusebio Muñoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family; the novices of the International Novitiates of Rome and Castelgandolfo; FMA of the Communities of the Pre-Province; communities of the Roman Province; SDB; and other members of the Salesian Family.
It was a truly original evening in the format of a television talk show, where the protagonists were words and sharing guided by the two young hosts, the novices Maria Laura and Andreja, and the special guest: Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians and Author of the Strenna.
The Rector Major’s presentation was preceded by viewing a video of the Strenna. Then, Fr. Angel was questioned by the two hosts and shared the heart of the Message with his presentation through a power point and an impassioned dialog.
The Rector Major stated: “I want to comment on a theme that is very familiar to us, with a title taken directly from the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis on the call to holiness in today’s world: Gaudete et Exsultate. By choosing this theme and this title, I want to translate into our language, the strong call to Sanctity that Pope Francis has addressed to the whole Church”.
What steps are we to undertake courageously on the path of Sanctity? What are the indicators of sanctity? What are the journeys of sanctity in the light of Salesian Sanctity?
Sanctity is not the privilege of a few but is everyone’s right. Pope Francis says that every human being as such has the right to live and be happy (Cf. Laudato Sì n. 43). As SF we are called to realize this commitment to happiness, bringing Gospel joy to everyone and above all, walking in holiness to awaken the world with a style of life that is coherent and radiant, with a language that all men and women of today can understand: the language of sanctity (Cf. Final Synod Document n. 166).
Mother General, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, then thanked Fr. Angel, manifesting the desire “that it be translated into the commitment to live as Salesian Family, the journey of daily holiness, not alone but together with and for the young, in the style of Salesian holiness, the daily one that Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello lived with the young in Valdocco and Mornese”
Strenna 2019 will be presented to the entire Salesian Family at the Salesian Family Spirituality Days that will be held at Valdocco on January 10-13, 2019, on the Strenna 2019 theme: “Sanctity also for you” in the presence of the 400 delegates belonging to the 31 groups of the Salesian Family from all the Continents.
The Video and Poster of Strenna 2019 are available on the Web Site
