“In Christo uno sumus” (In the one Christ, we are one) is the motto of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. He emphasizes unity and communion within the Church and the world. His call for a “disarmed peace and a disarming peace” through dialogue and bridge-building echoes the words of the Risen Jesus, whose Heart pierced with a lance on the Cross, is in search of the lost and the dispersed.

 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus: A Call to Renewed Devotion 

 

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Instaurare omnia in Christo” that is, “to restore all things in Christ” was the motto of Pope St. Pius X, and it powerfully frames the heart of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus: “Dilexit Nos”  (He Loved Us) The encyclical places Christ, and particularly His loving Heart, at the centre of the Church and the world. Pope Francis invites a renewed devotion to the Sacred Heart, especially during June, traditionally dedicated to this profound mystery. He emphasizes the Heart as a symbol of Christ’s boundless, saving love, the only kind of love our modern, fragmented world desperately needs.

Drawing from Scripture, the saints, and Church tradition, he urges everyone, especially religious, to place Christ above all else: above ministries, attachments, and ideologies. Reparation to His Heart calls not only for prayer but for acts of mercy and love.

 

St. John Bosco and Our Salesian Mission

 

St. John Bosco, our Father and Founder, was deeply devoted to the Sacred Heart and entrusted his mission and youth to it. In his spirit, we as Salesians are especially called to grow in this devotion and pass it on to others with renewed passion. A personal experience of the Heart of Jesus, the love of Jesus is what we all must desire and strive for. Passion for Christ and His mission, in the footsteps of St. John Bosco, can only be ignited through a personal experience of being loved unconditionally and redeemed personally by Him.

 

The Core of Our Salesian Vocation

 

Being passionate about Jesus Christ and totally dedicated to young people is the very core of who we are and the overpowering strength that drives our lives. These two essential pillars of the Salesian vocation were not only the focus of the 29th General Chapter but also the living heartbeat of all our fraternal sharing and prayer. They shape the perspective from which we must confront the many educational and pastoral challenges that test us yet also encourage and sustain us.

 

Deepening Our Charismatic Identity

We urgently need to deepen our vision of our charismatic identity. We must embrace and actively spread the synodal approach centered on communion, participation, and mission which offers us priceless ecclesiological and spiritual guidance for our work.

 

During GC 29, we committed ourselves to practicing ‘conversation in the Spirit’ as a vital way to live out our consecrated, community, and apostolic mission with authenticity and courage. It is necessary that all of us cultivate this practice to better our personal and community life. 

 

Young People: At the Heart of Our Mission

 

Young people have been at the centre of our reflection and care. Confronted by the freshness of their dreams, the boundless generosity with which they give themselves, and the creative hope they hold for the future, we remain constantly amazed by their enthusiasm.

 

Living alongside them every day, we come face to face with the real difficulties they face struggles, hardships, and disappointments as they grow into responsible adults. Many carry deep wounds, often through no fault of their own. We pour out our lives for them each day, driven by one overriding desire: to help them discover how immeasurably God loves them and how intimately He is close to their hearts.

 

The Eucharist: Source of Our Strength

 

The mystery of the Eucharist; welcomed, received, and celebrated constantly reminds us of the boundless love with which the Lord gave His life for us and His passionate desire to gather us all into communion. Each day, we draw our strength from His Sacrifice, enabling us to give our lives fully and stand firm against evil.

 

The mystery of His presence, hidden in the humble, everyday signs of bread and wine, calls us to ensure that our own presence among young people becomes a clear sign and powerful instrument of His love.  Standing beside the tabernacle where St. Dominic Savio experienced his ecstasy, we are reminded of how central the Eucharist and the Sacraments are to our pedagogy and to the true meaning of holiness.

 

The Holy Spirit: The True Protagonist

 

Together with the Eucharist, invoking the Holy Spirit and embracing conversion “in the Spirit” remind us that He is the true protagonist of discernment, and that only through His light can we perceive the signs God gives us.  The Spirit, giver of charisms and creator of holiness, is the fiery flame that burns in our hearts. Our passion for Christ and our dedication to young people depend entirely on Him.
 

Entrusting Our Mission to Mary and Don Bosco 

 

We entrust the fruits of the Provincial Chapter and General Chapter deliberations to Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco, praying that they become:   
-  A clear roadmap for individuals, communities, and provinces.   
-  A precious gift for our service to young people.

May the Lord grant us the strength and courage to incorporate these insights fully into our Personal Project of Life.

 

Conclusion: A Call to Renewed Commitment

 
To conclude, let me reiterate how important it is for our Province to urgently deepen its spiritual life and build true communion and unity in our daily community life. We need to walk alongside one another, especially through prayer, formation, and mission. Let’s keep the preferential option for poor and marginalized youth at the heart of everything we do.

In this month of June, we celebrate a series of memories, feasts, and solemnities:
 The Feast of the Ascension reminds us to keep our eyes on the mission ahead, trusting that the Spirit empowers us for the work.

- The Solemnity of Pentecost challenges us to be bold witnesses, lighting a fire of faith wherever we go.
- The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us to draw strength from His endless love and mercy, renewing our passion for service.
- The Immaculate Heart of Mary inspires us to stay faithful and humble in everything.
- The Birthday of St. John the Baptist (and our Founder’s feast day) reminds us of the call to prepare the way for the Lord, just like Don Bosco did with joy and dedication. On this day, we also remember and pray for our Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, who leads us forward, keeping Don Bosco’s spirit alive.
- The Feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul remind us how unity and courage are essential for the Church and our Salesian mission.

 

Only in a united and vibrant community can our Salesian identity and mission flourish not just today, but for generations to come. Rather than resting on past achievements, we must actively seek to glorify God by renewing our Salesian spirit and radically dedicating ourselves to the poor and marginalized youth.

 

Christ must remain the heart of our identity, our unity, and our mission. With unwavering trust, let us move forward boldly, guided by the examples of Our Lady and St. John Bosco. Together, we will build a Province ablaze with faith, unwavering in mission, and anchored in the boundless love of Christ. May HIS love for us and Don Bosco’s tireless devotion to the young compel us to offer our lives completely to God and His people.

 

Yours affectionately, 

Fr. Don Bosco SDB
INM Provincial

Date: 01.06.2025 
Place: Chennai – 10 

Source: INM-LDB/CIR /47/06-2025 (JUNE 2025)