'Moved by hope: “See, I am making all things new” (Rev 21: 5)' is the title that the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, has chosen for the message of his Strenna for 2021.
As with every year, his message is accompanied by a poster that graphically translates the insights and orientations that the Rector Major intends to offer to all the followers of Don Bosco.
The preparation of the poster of the Strenna is given to artists from different contexts and geographical origins - to grasp the different sensitivities present in the many varied places of the Salesian world. This year’s poster has been prepared by representatives of Latin America.
Among the various illustrations proposed, the winner was that of the Argentine artist Gustavo Daguerre, who has spent his whole life within Salesian circles and currently works as pastoral coordinator in an institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
"When I learned the phrase that will accompany the Strenna for 2021, I thought of the need to offer through an image what is strong for me in that prayer, hope.” explained Gustavo. “As a community of believers, our hope is in Jesus. We often feel in these times in which we live, that people are without hope. A pandemic is enough to make humanity 'tremble' and make it much more vulnerable.”
The full image of the strenna poster.
“This is why, and almost by 'praying', we find the image of Jesus at the center, who supports us, invites us to rise, and not only with an outstretched hand, but also with an understanding gaze that gives dignity.”
“Around there is an environment that tends to convert, from a gray, dark, dense scenario to another full of color, with the necessary brightness to see in the faces of those who receive us, the testimony of Christ.”
“Our great challenge, as the Salesian Family, is simply to be a sign of Hope, to put light and colour, to look with understanding, to continue to heal and accompany what this pandemic has hurt, to continue to be attentive to the needs of others, as Mother Mazzarello and Don Bosco taught us.”
The poster will be distributed in paper form and - compatibly with the postal services of the various countries - will reach the Salesian houses by October. Salesian illustrators from all over the world will also be able to modify the background to represent the different local contexts.
For high quality downloads of the strenna poster in different languages, visit the Salesian Flickr Account
