【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2025 年02月17 日意大利都靈訊】 ─ 「親愛的與會者，我選擇了我們慈幼式修道生活與主密契的角度作為退省的主題。事實上，在那裡，我們能找到鮑思高神父的宗徒計劃，我們被邀請去參與這計劃，形成我們整個特有的身份。」榮休總會長查偉思神父（Fr. Pascual Chávez）以這番說話開始了第廿九屆慈幼會全會代表大會(GC29)參與者的退省。他被邀請帶領為期三天的默想，幫助與會者反思並為即將要做的決策做好準備。
第二天的早上和下午專注於聆聽和默想，以及由愛爾蘭聖博德會省的省會長Eunan McDonnell神父主禮的感恩祭所增益。
透過反思，查偉思神父提醒與會者：「我們的慈幼修道奉獻生活是以耶穌的愛為開始的道路，祂注視著我們，愛我們，召叫我們，並抓住我們。這意味著我們整個的奉獻生活都以愛為特徵，且必須在愛的標記下生活。即使在考驗和困難的時刻，也不能沒有喜悅。由此流出的寧靜、光輝和果效，使奉獻生活變得豐盛。」
查偉思神父解釋，這種意識是慈幼會會士委身服務青年的基礎，幫助他們克服世界罪惡所帶來的苦難。「全心全意致力於青年使命，特別是最貧困、最需要幫助和正面臨困境的青年，是我們跟隨基督、活出基督的愛的最具體方式。這種愛總是伴隨著捨棄自我，有時會令人輕視世俗。」
在感恩祭中，McDonnell神父反思福音內容，強調須要改變視角，以便更接近天主的看法。「我們必須學會到達彼岸，因為主的思想不是我們的思想，主的意念也不是我們的意念。」隨後，他邀請與會者進行良心省察：「我們的策略真的是天主的旨意，還是像法利塞人一樣，試圖將天主納入我們的期望中？」
McDonnell神父還分享他的個人經歷，幫助他超越人的單純視角，更好地理解信任上主的必要性。當他在吹著海風的沙灘上祈禱時，他看到一隻狗迎著風奔跑，而海鷗則順隨海風飛翔。「我們可以帶著某些期望進入這次全代會，但我們必須讓自己被上主驚訝，信任祂的引導。」
在 Flickr 平台上的第廿九屆慈幼會全會代表大會(GC29)官方相片集
The Profound Mysticism in Salesian Life
(ANS – Italy –Turin, 17 February 2025) – «Dear confreres, I have chosen as the theme of our spiritual retreat the perspective of the mysticism of our Salesian life. It is infact there, that the apostolic project of Don Bosco is found, which we are invited to make our own, and it is there that our entire charismatic identity resides.» With these words, Fr. Pascual Chávez, Rector Major Emeritus, inaugurated the spiritual retreat for the participants of the 29th General Chapter. He was entrusted with leading the meditations which, over three days, will help participants reflect and prepare for the decisions to be made.
The morning and afternoon of the second day were dedicated to listening and meditation, also enriched by the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Eunan McDonnell, Superior of the Province of St. Patrick in Ireland.
In the course of his reflections, Fr. Chávez reminded the participants: «Our Salesian consecrated life is a path that begins with the Love of Jesus, who fixed His gaze upon us, loved us, called us, and seized us. This means that our entire consecrated life is marked by love and must be lived under its sign. It cannot be lived without joy, even in moments of trial and difficulty. From here flows the serenity, the radiance, and the fruitfulness of consecrated life, which make it captivating.»
This awareness, Fr. Chávez explained, is the foundation for the Salesian who dedicates himself to young people, helping them overcome the sufferings caused by the sin of the world. «Total dedication to the mission on behalf of young people, especially the poorest, the needy, and those at risk, is the most concrete way in which, by following Christ, we can live Christian love. This love will always involve self-denial and, at times, will provoke – “the hatred of the world.”»
During the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. McDonnell offered a reflection on the Gospel, emphasizing the need for a change in perspective to draw closer to God’s way of seeing things. «We must learn to go to the other shore, because His thoughts are not our thoughts, His ideas are not our ideas.» He then invited the delegates to an examination of conscience: «Are our strategies truly God’s will, or are we, like the Pharisees, trying to fit God into our expectations?»
Fr. McDonnell also shared a personal experience that helped him move beyond a merely human perspective and better understand the need to place trust in God. While praying along a windswept beach, he observed a dog running against the wind and seagulls allowing themselves to be carried by the air currents. «We can enter this General Chapter with certain expectations, but we must allow ourselves to be surprised by God, trusting in His guidance.»