(ANS – Guadalajara) – The parish of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian St Joseph’s School in Guadalajara hosted the provincial meeting of the Hogares Don Bosco in St John Bosco Province on 22 March. A large group of couples and families gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this family-oriented and deeply Salesian movement.
The meeting, coordinated by Natalia Baños and Vicente Toro, with organisational support from the local HDB Guadalajara group, and attended by the Chaplain/Delegate, José Luis Guzón (SDB), had as its theme “Hogares Don Bosco: Protagonists of stories of salvation”. The participants received a message, by way of greeting, from the Provincial of the Salesians of St James the Greater Province, Fernando García (SDB), and were joined by Paco Santos (HDB), Rector of the Salesian house in Guadalajara.
The central formative session of the morning centred on a reflection on how faith and the family serve as a beacon amidst everyday reality. Testimonies and reflections were shared on five profound life situations: pain and illness, extreme challenges for the family, moments of great uncertainty, the process of personal identification within the faith, and the hope that never fails.
Following this time of deep reflection, the families were able to explore these themes in group activities, fostering active listening and mutual support. At 2 pm, Mass was celebrated, giving thanks for these six decades of history. The celebration was presided over by Josean Hernández (SDB), Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family.
The day stood out for its profound Salesian family spirit. The day began with a welcome that included breakfast and a fun Photocall for the memories, which contained a profound message, highlighting the idea of being “Protagonists of Stories of Salvation” and relating to the biblical text “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5), from the Wedding at Cana.
For lunch and refreshments, the traditional “potluck meal”, where families share what they bring, was combined with the presence of the Mamá Margarita food truck. This initiative had a strong charitable focus: for every pizza ordered, €8 was donated to the “Middle East Emergency” campaign run by Misiones Salesianas.
The day concluded with a festive after-dinner gathering, a shared evening and the traditional raffle, in which each local centre contributed gifts and tokens, including a bottle of wine per group to set the mood, bringing the gathering to a close at 5 pm with closing remarks and farewells.
“This gathering has not only been a grateful look back at the 60-year history of Hogares Don Bosco, but also a confirmation that we are one big, vibrant family. Seeing young married couples who have just arrived sharing with those who have been walking together all their lives is the true testimony that we continue to be protagonists of stories of salvation in the purest Salesian style,” said the Hogares Don Bosco provincial council.
Hogares Don Bosco [Hogares = home, household] is an ecclesial movement dedicated to the family apostolate. It operates within the framework of the Salesian movement, drawing on the charism of Don Bosco, in communion with the other groups of the Salesian Family and with a special link to the Association of Salesian Cooperators. This movement was founded in 1965 as a result of a campaign in support of the family; it focuses on the human, Christian and Salesian formation of its members, so that they may fulfil their potential as individuals, spouses and educators of their children. Currently, in Spain, the movement comprises more than 700 people.
Source: Salesianos.info
