Father Juan Edmundo Vecchi [see Cover] was elected as the eighth successor to St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Society, on March 20, 1996. He is Argentinian — the first-ever non-Italian to head the congregation.
Fr. Vecchi, who turned 66 on June 23, has the challenging task of guiding the extensive worldwide Salesian Family, which includes more than 17,500 Salesian Brothers and Fathers (SDB), 17,000 Salesian Sisters (FMA), about 30,000 Salesian Cooperators, and hundreds of thousands of alumni and alumnae spread over the six continents.
The 24th General Chapter, held in Rome from February 19 to April 20, 1996 (The General Chapter is held every 6 years.) elected Fr. Vecchi on the first ballot. He takes over from Fr. Egidio Vigaṇ who died in June 1995.
He was born on June 23, 1931, at Viedma,
Argentina. Although both his parents were born in Italy, his
mother’s family emigrated to Argentina when she was only two
years old. His father came when he was older and joined a
previously established family business.
He grew up in Viedma, which had been a Salesian center since Fr. John Cagliero, commissioned by Don Bosco, arrived with the first missionary expedition in 1875. Fr. Cagliero later became the Society’s first bishop and, later, cardinal. Fr. Vecchi went to the Salesian school there before deciding to become a Salesian himself.
He had a number of relatives who were priests and religious— two cousins were Salesian priests and another was a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sister).
Fr. Vecchi took his vows in 1948, and after completing his studies in Turin, Italy, was ordained a priest in 1958. He went on to earn a Masters Degree in Theology from the Pontifical Salesian Atheneum in Rome and a degree in literature from Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
He held a number of positions in his own province of Bahia Blanca, and became director of the school in Viedma. In 1971 he attended the Special General Chapter mandated by the Second Vatican Council as an elected delegate for his province. Later in 1972 he was called to serve on the General Council, the main governing body of the Society, and took over the position of regional councilor for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
At the next General Chapter, in 1978, he was elected councilor for youth and was reelected in 1984. At the 23rd General Chapter in 1990 Fr. Vecchi was elected as vicar of the Rector Major. After Fr. Vigaṇ died on June 23, 1995, (which happens to be Fr. Vecchi’s birthday) he became acting superior until his own election as Rector Major.
In his brief acceptance speech he provoked general laughter and applause by referring to his patron, St. John the Baptist, whose birth, he said, had caused much joy but who ended up by being beheaded. Fr. Vecchi was happy about the birth, but what came later bothered him!
It is said that, among his many qualities, are his fatherliness and faithfulness to Don Bosco’s vision; his ability to listen to the opinions of others; his ability to lead and work with others; and his open-mindedness to modern culture and the signs of the times.
Those who know the new Rector Major describe him as a hard worker and a good listener. Respectful of others’ opinions and quick to grasp their point of view, he can share his own ideas and work effectively with others bringing about a shared vision to life.
His own experiences as a Salesian, and especially those gained while working in the field of youth ministry for 12 years as general councilor, have been of particular significance. He retains a deep concern about the needs of young people in today’s world. He is convinced that the spirit of Don Bosco reflected in the lives of all in the Salesian Family around the world can provide a most effective response to many of youth’s aspirations. The challenge of leading the Salesian Congregation and Family into the next century was one he took up, as he said after his election, "with serenity and joy."
Articles from the Australian, English and Irish Bulletins contributed to this article.
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