By Fr. Andrea Maung Maung, SDB

       Myanmar, 24 February 2021 -- Dear readers, confreres, and all members of Salesian Family around the world! On January 31 2021, all Salesian Communities in Myanmar, together with past pupils, cooperators, mission partners, benefactors and the young people, joyfully celebrated the feast day of our founder, Don Bosco through Holy Mass, games, sports, and entertainments. We proudly shared with each other about the streanna of 2021, "Moved by Hope". Everyone of us was expecting the best to come this year, because the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the general election again.

       However, on February 1 2021, early in the morning, an unexpected news came to us. It was no other than the evil military coup, and what is more, all our official political leaders, including Daw Aung San Su Kyi and the President, were lawlessly arrested. It seemed a hell was coming to us. All the hope we talk about gradually became a blur at the sight. Our lives, our rights, our future, and our young democracy are no more secure now. All worries, negative thoughts, even anger and hatred unwantedly influenced our minds. What we can wish now is "It is unjust".

       Not so long, thousands of the young people, led by generation Z and the activists, were coming out on the roads, demonstrating against the military coup, and asking the civil servants to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Majority of Myanmar people from all walks of life, joined the movement, as they believe it is the solution for the nation to abolish the dictatorship from the root. The numbers of protesters increase day by day, throughout the country.

       On February 22 2021, millions of people came out on the roads of every city all over Myanmar. It is anationwide demonstration against the military coup which is called the "22222 Revolution" because it is taking place on 22 February 2021. It is also called the "Spring Revolution". It is being compared by protesters to demonstrations on 8 August 1988 - known as the 8888 uprising - when Myanmar saw one of its most violent protests. But the present demonstration is much less violent compared to the 8888. We must thank the Media, i.e. the gift of God.

       As the revolution is going on up to the present time, the Salesians of Myanmar have been standing with the people in various ways, especially through offering Holy Masses and constant prayers and participating in the demonstration for justice and human rights that primarily belong to each one of human beings. This is why our new provincial, Fr. Bosco Zaya Aung (Nyi Nyi) earnestly asked us to do daily one-hour adoration in every community. We do believe prayer can perform miracle. Pray can save us. Prayer can also bring justice, peace and hope to us again.

       Dear readers, confreres, and all members of Salesian Family around the world, kindly do pray for our people and country, so that the truth will prevail, and justice and peace will flourish among our people soon. Thank you.

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