The Salesians in Great Britain were privileged to have their Superior General (Rector Major), Fr Pascual Chavez, to preach the annual province retreat during Easter week 2006 (April 16th to 21st). Salesians with the Rector Major at Hothorpe.

Originally the Retreat had been intended just for the Rectors of communities, but this was far too good an opportunity to be limited to so few. The Rector Major graciously agreed to preach to all the priests and brothers who were willing and able to attend. Fifty seven took up the invitation.

The venue chosen was Hothorpe Hall, an ecumenical retreat centre in Leicestershire, and the staff there made everyone very welcome. Salesians from the northwest were interested in the fact the estate was owned by the Roman Catholic Trafford family (cf Trafford Park) between 1881 and 1928, and the chapel, built by Charles Edmund De Trafford about 1892, provided a very suitable place for quiet prayer.

After the Retreat, Fr Chavez stayed on for two wonderful Salesian Family Days. On Saturday 22nd he was in Farnborough, and on Sunday 23rd he was in Bolton. Each event was attended by many hundreds of priests, brothers, sisters, cooperators and friends.

Fr Tony Bailey took advantage of the opportunity to promote the newly published English translation of the biography of Mamma Margaret. Fr Chavez hinted that he had heard from a very high authority that her Beatification could well be celebrated later in 2006.