Not even the persistent rain that accompanied the day could dampen the festive spirit of the Provincial Assembly of the Salesian Cooperators. Indeed, to mark the anniversary, some 800 participants from the Mary Help of Christians Province of Spain – which encompasses Andalusia, Extremadura and the Canary Islands – gathered in Seville to renew a commitment established in 1876 by St John Bosco.
A historic procession of faith to the Cathedral
The celebrations began with a highly symbolic gesture: a procession from the Church of Santa Cruz to Seville Cathedral. The procession carried the statues of Don Bosco (from the Salesian parish of Jesus the Worker) and Mary Help of Christians (from the parish in the Nervión district), visually uniting the various aspects of the Salesian presence in the city.
Once inside the cathedral, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime presided over a solemn Eucharist. The most moving moment came when a large group of 31 aspirants publicly made their Promise, officially becoming part of the Salesian family.
Once inside the cathedral, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and Rector Major Emeritus, presided over a solemn Eucharistic celebration, and the most moving moment came when a large group of 31 aspirants publicly made their Promise, officially joining the Salesian Cooperators and ensuring the association’s generational renewal.
Fraternity and fidelity to the Trinity
Following the religious celebration, those present went to the Salesian Institute of the Most Holy Trinity, where, in the typical spirit of a Salesian festive evening, a fraternal meal was shared, serving to strengthen and deepen the bonds between all those present, who had come from various places.
The formal ceremony
During the formal ceremony, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime addressed the gathering with some inspiring words, emphasising the Salesian charity that arises from daily life and noting that it is precisely there that the challenge lies for the Salesian Cooperator of the 21st century: in the credibility of authenticity, being models of honesty, deeply rooted in Christ, to continue being Salesians in the world.
Christian singer Nico Montero provided entertainment that was greatly appreciated by everyone, performing three songs that have been and continue to be the soundtrack to the lives of many Salesian Cooperators. Finally, singer-songwriter Javi Bernal brought the ceremony to a close with the anthem of the Salesian Cooperators of the Province of Mary Help of Christians, entitled “Soñadores de vida”, which he composed himself.
The highlight took place in the Basilica Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians at the Institute of the Holy Trinity, where the Silver Badges were conferred on ten members who have completed 25 years of service. The event concluded with the Assembly Renewal of the Promise by all the Salesian Cooperators present, reaffirming their vocation to the service of young people.
A message for the future from Rome
Coinciding with the events being held in Seville, Borja Pérez, World Councillor for the Iberian Region – who on that very day was elected World Coordinator of the Association of Salesian Cooperators – sent a message in which he emphasised the relevance of the Salesian mission. “We were born from Don Bosco’s prophetic intuition to be a living presence in the world,” he said, urging us to “continue to dream with boldness and tenderness”.
Finally, he emphasised once more, that although times are changing rapidly, the identity of the Salesian Cooperator continues to be a “reliable compass” for offering hope to today’s young people.
The day concluded with a widespread sense of gratitude and a renewed conviction that the apostolic life project conceived 150 years ago is now more alive than ever.
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