austraLasia #2904
 
MYM: "Salesian for Forever"

PYIN OO LWIN: 16 August 2011 -- After years of prayer, reflection and discernment, Bro. Saw Gilbert Ko Ko Win made his Final Commitment with great joy and fervour at Our Lady’s Shrine at Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar, on 15 August, 2011, during the Solemn Eucharist of the Assumption. Accompanied by parents, close relatives and surrounded by fellow Salesians and neighbouring religious, Bro. Gilbert made his perpetual profession before Fr. Maurice Vallance, Superior of the Vice-Province of Myanmar. He took the words of Don Bosco: “Give me souls, take away all the rest!” as his motto.
    In fact, Bro. Saw Gilbert is doing his Theological Studies in Turin, Italy. Finishing the Second Year Theology, he came back to Myanmar to make his Perpetual Profession and to witness to the young his total love for Christ.
  The Solemn liturgy began at 6.30 a.m. with a symbolic procession during which the parents of Bro. Ko Ko Win brought their son and handed him over to the Superior of the Vice Province.
    In his homily, Fr Maurice Vallence said that there had been a ten year gap in perpetual professions for the Vice-Province. "Therefore, it is by God's grace that the young Gilbert can commit himself for ever to God". Fr Maurice explained that Perpetual Profession means  a total giving of self to God; "it is not a part-time service, but total and complete dedication of our whole being to God".
    After the Mass, Bro. Gilbert expressed some words of heartfelt thanks in which he thanked the Lord for calling him to Salesian religious life. He was so grateful to his parents for their love for him and especially for allowing him to join the Salesian Seminary. His heartfelt-thanks also went to the Superiors and his fellow Salesians for their guidance and help in his vocational discernment and maturity. Finally, he thanked all those present at his profession ceremony and for accompanying him with their prayers.
    All those present for the Eucharistic celebration and felicitations were later treated to a sumptuous meal by the St Joseph’s Novitiate Community, Anisakan. The evening entertainment was planned and organised by the Nazareth Community in collaboration with the FMA and the SDB Communities.
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