Pope's message to Salesians at the start of General Chapter

(March 3, 2008) In a fragmented and fragile age, such as ours, it is necessary to overcome the distraction of activism and cultivate the unity of spiritual life by acquiring a profound mysticism and solid asceticism particularly through the Word of God and the Eucharist. This was the advice that Pope Benedict gave to the Salesians of Don Bosco, who on Monday started the 26th General Chapter of their worldwide order in Rome. In a message to them, the Pope was commenting on the theme of the General chapter – Give me souls, take away the rest – the motto and catch phrase of Don Bosco, the 19th century founder of the Salesians known for the education of youth. The theme was a passion for Don Bosco, the Pope explained, and said it synthesizes the mysticism and asceticism of the Salesians. Spiritual life that fuels apostolic commitment and guarantees pastoral efficacy, the Pope explained, should be the path of sanctity for every Salesian, and on this should pivot the formation of new Salesian vocations to consecrated life. Like their founder, Pope Benedict urged, Salesians should be burning with apostolic passion and evangelical zeal, stressing that evangelization should be the priority of their mission today. In today’s multi-religious and secularized situation, the Pope explained, new ways need to be found particularly to help the young come to know figure of Jesus so that they discover His undying charm. And by virtue of thier charism, Salesians are in a privileged position to acknowledge the importance of education in the evangelization of youth. Without education, in fact, there is neither profound and lasting evangelization, nor growth and maturation, nor change of mentality and culture, the Pope added.