In view of the fact that one correspondent has been concerned that Don Bosco has been somewhat absent from the discussions (cf an earlier 'austraLasia' reflection), and in view of the fact that jsut yesterday I was urging our young men here to re-read the LEtter from Rome in the light of some Sal. Studs we have been doing, the following homily by Cardinal Stickler is spot on.
(via Nick Reina)
Cardinal Alphonse Stickler was the celebrant and homilist this
morning. He began his homily by telling us that he had met Don Philip Rinaldi
when he was a little boy in Vienna. Then as a Salesians he had the
opportunity of going to Turin and living where Don Bosco began his work. The
Cardinal, who has been ordained now for 65 years, spoke about his advanced
age; he noted that he was 6th in line in the College of Cardinals as regards
"moving up" from this life to the next – at least if age has any influence.
He also shared with us that for older confreres as himself the question of
fidelity is still a very real one. He expressed his concern about always
remaining faithful to Don Bosco and Don Bosco's teachings. The Cardinal went
on to remind us that one of the surest ways to remain faithful to our Founder
is to read constantly and reflect on Don Bosco's letter from Rome that we
fine at the end of our Constitutions and Regulations. He noted that if Don
Bosco had this dream late in his life, then we should always take care to be
vigilant and alert to the various influences that can enter into our own
religious life and into our communities to dampen the spirit of fidelity. He
concluded by thanking us for our commitment and by asking us to be faithful
to Don Bosco as we returned to our various provinces and works.
morning. He began his homily by telling us that he had met Don Philip Rinaldi
when he was a little boy in Vienna. Then as a Salesians he had the
opportunity of going to Turin and living where Don Bosco began his work. The
Cardinal, who has been ordained now for 65 years, spoke about his advanced
age; he noted that he was 6th in line in the College of Cardinals as regards
"moving up" from this life to the next – at least if age has any influence.
He also shared with us that for older confreres as himself the question of
fidelity is still a very real one. He expressed his concern about always
remaining faithful to Don Bosco and Don Bosco's teachings. The Cardinal went
on to remind us that one of the surest ways to remain faithful to our Founder
is to read constantly and reflect on Don Bosco's letter from Rome that we
fine at the end of our Constitutions and Regulations. He noted that if Don
Bosco had this dream late in his life, then we should always take care to be
vigilant and alert to the various influences that can enter into our own
religious life and into our communities to dampen the spirit of fidelity. He
concluded by thanking us for our commitment and by asking us to be faithful
to Don Bosco as we returned to our various provinces and works.
