THE RECTOR MAJOR OF THE SALESIAN ORDER ANGEL FERNANDEZ ARTIMA CELEBRATED THE FIRST HOLY MASS AS A CARDINAL

The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artima, elevated to the dignity of cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, celebrated his first Holy Mass as a cardinal on Sunday, October 1, in the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome.

His Eminence was served by four bishops, many Salesian provincials and superiors from all over the world and the Rector Major Emeritus of the Order, Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva. Also the Holy Mass was attended by  members of the General Council of the Order, representatives of civil authorities and salesian lay movements.

The joy of serving the Eucharist with his Salesians brothers was also shared by the Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, who congratulated His Eminence Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artima on behalf of the Salesians serving in Azerbaijan and on behalf of all Catholics in our country.

At the end of his sermon dedicated to the virtues of humility and trust in God, Cardinal Angel Fernandez, following the example of the founder of the Salesian Order, St. Giovanni Bosco, entrusted his service to the Church as a cardinal to the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians.