Jesus and Mary, My Best Friends
by Fr. Bill Bucciferro
The image of Mary and Jesus as my friends has always given me hope and encouragement throughout my life, beginning with my parents, who both had great devotion to Jesus and Mary. My early education included devotions to the rosary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When I discovered my vocation call to the Salesians in 1974, I learned so much about St. John Bosco -- but especially about St. Dominic Savio. Dominic’s statement, “Jesus and Mary are my best friends” struck a deep cord in my heart. I felt an instant connection with this young Saint and have always felt St. Dominic Savio as my younger brother in faith.
Presently, my role as a chaplain at the St. John Newman Center at the University of Illinois, has deepened my commitment to our Divine Lord and his Holy Mother, Mary. I feel truly guided by their presence everyday in my service to these young college students. A dear priest friend of mine once asked me a rather direct question: “Bill, what exactly do you do all day?” Well, that question has often made me pause and reflect on my daily duties. I feel called presently to accompany these wonderful young people on their spiritual journey with Christ. I try to be present to them in all their spiritual needs. I have been deeply moved by so many students who try to follow Jesus and His Church. They continue to amaze me by their openness and sincere searching to follow the way of Jesus and His Gospel. I have discovered their deep desire to find God in their everyday life. They seek peace and justice in our world. The young people I have come to know seek to be of service to the poor and they are very generous with their time to truly help others in need.
St. John Bosco taught his Salesians about young people by his presence among them. He always felt at home with the young and wanted each of us to feel at home with Jesus and Mary. He taught young people how to pray and find joy in serving the Lord. Don Bosco showed us by his life how to be present to young people. This is truly what I do all day…..being present to the young. The students I have come to know and respect call me out of myself to be with them. “Fr. Bill, hang out with us, chill with us, sing with us, dance with us, pray with us.” All these things I try to do but with the awareness that I also want to share my dearest friends, Jesus and Mary with them. My prayer is always to ask Jesus and Mary to be present to these young people – to guide them, to protect them and to encourage them to follow the ways of God. I truly have a wonderful and rewarding job. I want to encourage all who read these words to continue their journey of faith - knowing that Jesus and Mary want to be their best friends.
Presently, my role as a chaplain at the St. John Newman Center at the University of Illinois, has deepened my commitment to our Divine Lord and his Holy Mother, Mary. I feel truly guided by their presence everyday in my service to these young college students. A dear priest friend of mine once asked me a rather direct question: “Bill, what exactly do you do all day?” Well, that question has often made me pause and reflect on my daily duties. I feel called presently to accompany these wonderful young people on their spiritual journey with Christ. I try to be present to them in all their spiritual needs. I have been deeply moved by so many students who try to follow Jesus and His Church. They continue to amaze me by their openness and sincere searching to follow the way of Jesus and His Gospel. I have discovered their deep desire to find God in their everyday life. They seek peace and justice in our world. The young people I have come to know seek to be of service to the poor and they are very generous with their time to truly help others in need.
St. John Bosco taught his Salesians about young people by his presence among them. He always felt at home with the young and wanted each of us to feel at home with Jesus and Mary. He taught young people how to pray and find joy in serving the Lord. Don Bosco showed us by his life how to be present to young people. This is truly what I do all day…..being present to the young. The students I have come to know and respect call me out of myself to be with them. “Fr. Bill, hang out with us, chill with us, sing with us, dance with us, pray with us.” All these things I try to do but with the awareness that I also want to share my dearest friends, Jesus and Mary with them. My prayer is always to ask Jesus and Mary to be present to these young people – to guide them, to protect them and to encourage them to follow the ways of God. I truly have a wonderful and rewarding job. I want to encourage all who read these words to continue their journey of faith - knowing that Jesus and Mary want to be their best friends.