This week, in a video message the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, appealed to the whole Salesian Family for prayer for peace on Holy Thursday, with a special intention for Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Salesian kidnapped in Yemen.

Holy Thursday is a key moment of the liturgical year. On Holy Thursday Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, he began his Passion and was totally abandoned to the will of the Father. This is why the Church has always celebrated special vigils and moments of intense prayer on that day.

For this very reason, looking at the suffering in so many parts of the world, "with so many people of different religions and confessions suffering a real martyrdom", Fr Á.F. Artime invites everyone "to spend a time of very intense prayer on Holy Thursday evening, as we accompany Jesus in the pain and loneliness of Gethsemane".

"I sincerely hope that all our Salesian Family throughout the world and our young people will be united, in different places and at different times, in this one prayer for peace" continues the video message.

Speaking on behalf of the whole Congregation, the Rector Major "also expressed our closeness and our solidarity" with the family of Fr Uzhunnalil. While assuring them that he is monitoring closely the painful affair, he asks the Lord to give Fr Tom “a deep peace that he may live through the experience trusting in the Lord Jesus."

You can view the video here on YouTube