"The expression da mihi animas is not limited to referring to a part of the person but rather to the person in their entirety," explained Father Pascual Chávez. He then delved deeper into the meaning of the phrase at the heart of the Salesian mission: "If it were simply about promoting the person's integral development, we would not be any different from many other institutions working in the same direction. The word animas indicates the perspective from which we operate and the ultimate goal of our educational and evangelizing mission."

Father Chávez invited the Chapter members to rediscover the depth of this task, which entails a great responsibility before God. "Salvation does not mean reaching heaven with minimal effort," he stressed. "The ideal of our educational and evangelizing work is holiness—in fact, the sanctification of our young people," he said.

With a striking metaphor, Father Chávez explained how the Triune God, perfect love, did not settle for loving us from a distance but became man in Jesus Christ to manifest His love tangibly. "Exaggerating a bit," Father Chávez remarked, "I would say that the Father, by sending the Son into the world, entrusted Him with this mission: Make yourself loved!" He further broadened to include a fundamental aspect of the Salesian mission, the fraternal life in the community. "Community life is not just a matter of coexistence," explained Father Chávez, "but a prophecy of communion, a concrete sign of working together to bear witness to unity and the sharing of the pastoral educational project." He underscored the importance of building authentic fraternal relationships based on mutual support, alignment of intentions, and sharing. "It is not just about living together but about living as brothers, supporting and collaborating for a common goal," he explained.

Father Fernando García Sánchez, Provincial of the Province of St. James the Greater in Madrid, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the basilica. In his homily, Father García Sánchez reflected on the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus. "We live in a world where, at times, a deep connection with Him is lacking. But without Jesus, we can do nothing. We must renew our conviction that He walks and works with us," he said.

He added that the relationship with Jesus frees us from external judgments and allows us to embrace the peace He bestows. "Faced with the challenges that even this GC29 seeks to address, we must overcome the fatalism that numbs the heart and pushes us toward complaints. The Gospel's transformative power gives us freedom and peace that no one can take away from us." With a vivid image, Father García Sánchez concluded, "Having tasted the Bread of Christ, all other bread will leave us dissatisfied."

The day's reflections called the Delegates to take responsibility for the Salesian mission, which goes beyond education and aims at holiness and transforming young lives. Community life lived in fraternity and sharing, becomes a prophetic sign that bears witness to God's love.