By Bro. Aliester D’Souza, SDB
photos: Cl. Jerome Quinto, SDB

Parañaque City, the Philippines, 8 June 2017 -- With pomposity, ceremony and solemnity, the Salesians at the center of studies in Parañaque celebrated the blessed martyr and Salesian Brother Stephen Sandor.

The Sandor Community, which comprises of Salesian Brothers in their specific formation, animated the feast day. The campus was suffused with a buoyant spirit as the brothers along with the formators challenged each other in a friendly sports tournament organized as an occasion to celebrate both talent and team spirit joyfully.

A well-animated Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr Arnold Sanico, Rector of the Sandor Community, was the summit of the celebration. Fr Stephen Placente, in the homily, spoke of the crossroads in Bl Sandor’s life, of the selfless and sacrificing decisions he made and further exhorted us to imitate his sanctity.

The Holy Eucharist was followed by dinner and a program presented by the Salesian Brothers. This was a celebration of the Salesian saint through a parade of art, music and dance. The life of Bl Sandor was shared through a short AVP and quiz show which were interspersed throughout the program.

It is surely most fortunate and enriching that sanctity in the Salesian Congregation was celebrated as the community stands at the threshold of yet another academic year together. Perhaps, Bl Sandor is a pleasant and an appropriate reminder of the Salesian’s call to holiness through cheerfulness, piety and sacrifice.

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