By Our Own Correspondent

Melbourne, Australia, May 15 - Four different encounters in one full day of the tenth successor of Don Bosco visit to Australia – Pacific province. What was a common point of this day? According many confreres there was a deeply human touch of his talks, sharing and interaction during the whole day. Really a human Rector Major – some of the immediate feedbacks of the Salesians. In the morning there were two personal encounters and in the afternoon two group encounters of Fr. Ángel with his team (EAO regional councilor, personal secretary and ANS-video team).

First encounter with Dennis Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne and president of the Australian Bishop Conference was in the James Goold House (Archdiocese of Melbourne) at 10 AM. In a very cordial atmosphere both Rector Major and the Archbishop shared their gratitude for the close and generous mutual collaboration in the mission of the local Church. Indeed there is nothing more precious than the ecclesial communion, mutually enriching presence in past 80 years is highly appreciated and brings many fruits. Among the 331 Catholic schools with 153.000 students in the archdiocese we are just a small drop in the ocean, but the charism of Don Bosco helps to attract many youth to Jesus Christ. Archbishop Hart expressed his feelings: ‘I feel always more closer to the Salesians’.

Second encounter with Sr. Esperanza Machuy, FMA (97 years) in the Melbourne-Scoresby located provincial house of the FMA sisters was for the Rector Major a deep insight in the life witness of the most senior FMA in Australia. As a ‘confessor of faith’ during her long years of suffering, Sr. Esperanza shared with passion her life story as ‘Don Bosco Sister’ with the successor of Don Bosco.

Third encounter with 65 young people followed in the early afternoon in the St. Joseph College in Ferntree Gully: 900 students, 120 Salesian mission partners. Fr.Ángel met in very well animated time Salesian youth movement members of all Melbourne Salesian schools (Chadston, Sunbury and Ferntree Gully) together with Dromana Camp leaders, Cagliero missionary project team and ASYM (=Australian Salesian Youth Mentors). Our school students shared their experience - what is so special in our school: Family spirit, animating presence of the Salesians and close presence of the teachers and educators present among the students (at the same level), not focused just on the academic achievements but on integral human maturity. Rector Major accepted many personal questions: “How do you enjoy your job as the Rector Major? What are your future plans for the Salesian Congregation? How could we help to accompany the young people on their journey of faith in the secularized society of Australia…?”

Fourth and last encounter with the Salesians in the provincial center in Ascot Vale - Melbourne (even two confreres from Sydney!) was the crown of the whole three day visit to Australia. As Fr. Ángel used to highlight: “It’s worthwhile to travel thousands of kilometers from Rome up to Australia just for this 3 hour long encounter with my brother Salesians!’ Very straight forward and deep sharing with the confreres about the beauty and challenges of the Salesian Congregation helped all participants to strengthen their sense of belonging to the worldwide community. Clear and practical pointers to the future of our Society – to be able celebrate the Don Bosco’s 300th birthday – were appreciated very much: depth of our life in God as consecrated persons (men of God), human maturity in our fraternal life that is stronger than our oftentimes work-centered mentality, animation and government at all levels and strengthening of the identity of Salesian priests that is endangered by the clericalism. Started with the Eucharist with wonderful songs and short homily of the Rector Major and concluded with an Agape served by the provincial house team – this unforgettable encounter was attended by almost all 40 SDB confreres from all Melbourne communities (Ascot Vale, Brunswick, Clifton Hill, Lysterfield and Sunbury) including one Aspirant of Clifton Hill.

The continuous presence of one ANS-media team member during the whole three week-long visit of the Rector Major makes sure the media coverage and many high quality pictures, videos and interviews. Thanks to Fr. Jacob, the Facebooks and other social media and websites are able to share those moments of deeply human touch with many more other members of the Salesian family worldwide. Also for the Friends of ‘ANGEL Fernández-Rector MAYOR’ on the Facebook, this first visit to EAO region brought many of his very personal sharing and insights.