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Called to Childlike Greatness: Rector Major Urges Salesians to Live the Gospel with Passion and Authenticity
News written by: Special Correspondent
In a reflective and deeply pastoral homily, the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, invited Salesians to revisit a fundamental Gospel question: Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Drawing directly from the words of Jesus, he pointed to a simple yet profound answer—a little child—and unpacked what this means for Salesian life and mission today.
The Rector Major highlighted three essential characteristics of children that must shape the heart of every Salesian.
The first is humility. A child, he noted, accepts life as it is—without exaggeration or pretence—while remaining open to what God’s grace can make possible. Such humility keeps life simple, opens the door to great opportunities, and enables a wholehearted “yes” to God, just as the Blessed Virgin Mary did. Humility, he stressed, keeps one grounded and free.
The second characteristic is welcoming. Recalling Don Bosco’s encounter with Bartolomeo Garelli—rejected by others but welcomed by Don Bosco—the Rector Major underlined the enduring importance of creating spaces where young people feel accepted and valued, especially when society pushes them away.
The third is appreciation. Mistakes, he reminded, should never become a death sentence. Like children, the young must be allowed to rise after a fall, dust themselves off, and move forward. Salesians are called to appreciate the sparks of goodness in every young person, to see not only who they are at 12 or 14, but who they may become in their 30s. This, he said, requires living the preventive system first within oneself before expecting it of others.
Addressing Salesians directly, the Rector Major drew attention to two key passions that must define their lives.
The first is passion for Jesus—nurtured through self-purification, constant conversion, and daily prayer. He challenged communities to examine whether personal meditation had quietly disappeared under the excuse of “no time,” urging them to treat spiritual nourishment with the same seriousness as daily meals. Authenticity, he insisted, not power, is what truly touches hearts.
The second is a passion for accompanying the young. The preventive system, he concluded, must be lived within Salesian communities so that it can be credibly and fruitfully passed on to the young, creating environments of trust, growth, and hope.
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