Youths hear Don Bosco's message

Young people yesterday turned up in droves eagerly to listen to the message of Salesian Rector Major Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva.

The ninth successor of Don Bosco, Fr Chávez ends a visit to Malta today, made to mark the centenary celebrations of the arrival of the Salesian Fathers in Malta.

Fr Chávez told those who gathered in the Sliema Oratory theatre that values were like a planetary system and each one could not exist on its own.

"The mission of the Salesians is to cater for all the young people, irrespective of which religion they embrace. This was Don Bosco's wish," he said.

He also told the young people that youth was not just a time of dreaming and they had to focus so as to realise their dreams.

"In life never be indifferent to poverty, war or the misery of others," he continued.

Fr Chávez ended his packed day with a centenary Mass at St Therese Sanctuary, Birkirkara.

Fr Chávez was born on December 19, 1947, at Real de Catorce, a mining area in the centre of northern Mexico.

His vocation began at the Salesian School, Colegio Mexico where he pursued his goal of following Don Bosco. He went on to receive the diaconal ministry in March 1973 and was ordained in December of that year.

He was elected rector major in the General Chapter 25, which was held in Rome last year.