This Extraordinary Visit to POR formed part of the shared animation and common coordination of the action of the Salesian Congregation throughout the world, in the more than ninety circumscriptions (Provinces and Vice‑provinces) that exist.
In the first days, Fr. Pérez Godoy received the Visitation Report, a document that analyzes the functioning of the Portuguese Province. It describes the general aspects of its life and activity, the implementation of the resolutions of previous Extraordinary Visits, and details regarding the animation and governance of the Province and its various sectors.
Over these six months, the Regional Councillor was able to get to know on the ground the reality of the Province, its various Salesian houses, its Salesian communities, and its educative and pastoral communities. He fostered close dialogue and helped strengthen a shared vision of the educational and pastoral mission being carried out
During this period, the head of the Mediterranean Region visited the Salesian presences in Mogofores, Lisbon, Porto, Mirandela, Balasar, Évora, Manique, Funchal, Setúbal, Estoril and São Vicente, in Cape Verde. He met the Salesians, the students, the lay people involved in the different works, and the members of the Salesian Family.
One of the main objectives of this series of meetings was to strengthen communion, to share the spiritual richness of the Salesian charism, and to get to know the specific reality of each work. The meetings with the school leadership teams and with the collaborators of the various houses were also occasions of sharing and of closeness
Remaining faithful to the mission
The messages left by Father Pérez Godoy on the various occasions were full of gratitude and joy for the reality he encountered. He encouraged everyone to remain faithful to the mission and urged each Salesian to live vocational fidelity as a true continuer of the work of Saint John Bosco.
“These have been days of fraternity and family ambiance that have made me feel, through concrete gestures, truly at home,” he said during a visit to one of the schools. “It was very beautiful to experience the closeness of the children and young people, in the way they came to greet me spontaneously and with great joy.”
In the final days of his visit, the Regional Councillor met with the Provincial of POR and his Provincial Council. On the last day, he gathered with all the Rectors of the houses at the Provincial House in Lisbon.
