(ANS – Salamanca) – After studying the final documents prepared by the five committees
the 2024 Provincial Chapter of Spain’s St James the Greater Province (SSM) Province
held from 31 March to 3 April 2024 in Santa Marta de Tormes (Salamanca)
Chapter members studied the two drafts of each of the prepared topics until they reached the final texts that were voted on the morning of Wednesday
the concluding Eucharist was celebrated by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco
there are some that respond to the requests of the 29th General Chapter
such as "Animation and care for the true life of every Salesian"; "Salesians
‘with’ and ‘for’ young people"; and "A courageous review and redesign of the governance of the Congregation at all levels"
two specific topics of the Province have been added: the "Reorganisation of the presence of the Province" and a "Reflection on Rest Homes"
Beyond the assembly work or the work in the Commissions
the afternoon of 2 April also included a moment of fraternity in which the Salesians in initial formation
shared their vocation story and their vision of Salesian life and mission
Delegate of the Rector Major for the Extraordinary Visitation to the SSM Province
also shared a reflection on the experience of the Risen Lord
The day ended with a closing address from the SSM Provincial
thanked the participants for the work done
For the Provincial this experience "was a very important milestone in the life of the Province"
as it is defining the presence and role of the Salesians in the future
He also praised the "generosity of the confreres" in this period of his service as Provincial Superior and invited the assembly to look at the challenges of the future without neglecting current circumstances
he urged everyone to "tell what happened here"
the Chapter received a visit from the Rector Major
Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
who presided over the concluding Eucharist
the Cardinal underlined the Easter meaning of the feast and invited everyone to live the present in hope
avoiding the temptation of pessimism and "the lack of faith of believers"
So he called for the creation of communities truly formed by "believers" in our day
the Rector Major confessed that it is the first time in his ten years as Rector Major that he has presided over the closing of a Provincial Chapter
Source: Salesianos.info
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Nick Harding visits sites near Madrid and Salamanca – finding time to climb a staircase to heaven
The big question is: do you get to Spain by ferry or drive through France
and it made for an easy start to drive from home to Plymouth
and then complete a four-and-a-half-hour drive to our first campsite (all booked via the Club).
We had two specific destinations – Madrid and then Salamanca
which lies just over 200km to the north-west of Spain’s capital
but our next-door neighbour was quick to advise that we simply had to go there.
So we did... but our first booking was at the Arco Iris campsite
When we arrived at 8.30pm the reception was closed
and we received plenty of advice as we checked in
the campsite’s restaurant was open until 10pm
so we had time to get sorted on our pitch and wander down for our evening meal – highlights being the most delicious of gazpachos (cold soup has no right to taste as good as this) and in-season asparagus cooked to perfection.
It’s easy to be bamboozled by a city of Madrid’s size so my advice is to plan ahead
On our first day we caught a bus from just outside the campsite entrance to the nearest town
then a second bus to the Principe Pio bus/tram station in the centre of the capital
We stepped pretty much immediately into the Jardines del Campo del Moro (‘Moorish Camp Gardens’) – an ideal place to stroll on a sunny morning.
We were also close to the final resting place of Francisco Goya: the Museo Panteón de Goya
in the Ermita (‘Hermitage’) de San Antonio de la Florida
This Neoclassical chapel is adorned throughout with his paintings
and was the perfect introduction to one of Spain’s foremost artists
Nearby we also found a traditional restaurant
where we dined under cover outdoors on tapas including olives
this time taking the tram across town and hitting Madrid’s museum quarter
initially – the Museo Nacional del Prado
widely cited as Spain’s premier art museum.
as typically there are some 1,800 exhibits here
our own highlight being The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch
offering instant expert commentary on paintings by the likes of Velázquez
Our next stop was Los Gatos (‘The Cats’) café – a bar just a quarter-of-a-mile walk from the museum
Quirky décor included a dentist’s chair
we opted to walk back to our usual metro station via the touristy and pricey Plaza Mayor and lots of side streets before emerging at the royal palace and gardens – a stunning part of the city
Despite Madrid’s grandeur, we were looking forward to Salamanca and our next site, Camping Regio
and saw birds of prey along the way (subsequent checks suggested both golden and booted eagle
The hotel’s facilities were up and running
as were the campsite’s own bar/restaurant and shop
That gave us an easy decision for our evening meal
with the chance to have some quick chats with other guests
Staff quickly pointed us in the right direction for the bus to the centre of Salamanca
It is known as ‘The Golden City’ on account of its sandstone architecture and is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (behind only Oxford and Bologna)
There are some 30 major churches and Salamanca’s Old City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988
You’ll also find the Baroque-style Plaza Mayor
said to be Spain’s most beautiful square
Our first stop involved climbing the 198 steps of the Clerecía Towers
We were rewarded with stunning 360˚ views across the city’s intricate clay-tiled rooftops and beyond
Not for nothing is the ascent known as an Escalera al Cielo (‘Stairway to Heaven’)
It certainly set the scene before we visited the city’s two cathedrals as well as the shell-clad Casa de las Conchas and the Convento de San Esteban (monastery)
Our second day in Salamanca began with a meander through the small town by the campsite
It is the most glamorous setting with its stained glass – originally it was a private palace
There was just time to visit the covered Central Market
where vendors were finishing their days and packing up – somewhat aptly
as this is what we did when we got back to the campsite
There was time for one last highlight on the ferry back to England
we were fortunate enough to spot around 20 dolphins seemingly at play in the Bay of Biscay – a surprisingly stirring vision and a perfect way to end a great trip
Nick is well into his fourth decade as a journalist specialising in all aspects of caravanning and motorhoming
during which time he’s reviewed thousands of motorhomes and toured extensively throughout the UK
Nick has also edited a number of caravan and motorhome publications
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