Father Fabio Attard, SDB, elected rector major of the Salesians of Don Bosco last year, devoted his first strenna, or new year’s message, to faith.
“We recognize that our mission is to educate to faith and in faith,” Father Attard wrote in the message’s introduction. “The challenge that immediately arises is very clear: how can we do this if this source of light within me is growing dim? How can we remain calm when we realize that extinguishing the light in our hearts means, in the long run, leaving young people and all those we accompany in the deepest darkness?”
The Salesians (13,694 members) are poised to overtake the Jesuits (13,768 members) as the largest male religious institute.