By Augustine DoPhuc, SDB

       Vietnam, 2 February 2022 -- At 8:00 a.m, Tuesday, January 25, 2022, the Vietnamese Salesian Family held a meeting like every year. Because of the epidemic situation, this year, the Salesian Family gathering day was held in a combination of face-to-face and online. The two venues for direct organization were Saigon (Philip Rinaldi Xuan Hiep Community) and Lam Dong (Don Rua Da Lat Community). The program is also available online for everyone to watch.

       Directly attending the meeting at the Philip Rinaldi community were about 300 people from all members of the Salesian Family.

       After a lively presentation from the novices, Fr Provincial, Barnaba Le An Phong, presented the Rector Major's Strenna 2022. Throughout his presentation, Father Provincial led everyone into the space of diverse thoughts on the theme of love explored in Strenna. Thereby, the faces of Saints Francis de Sales and Don Bosco are depicted more deeply in the minds of those who are following in the spiritual path that the two saints of the heart opened.

       The Novices conveyed meaningful and profound messages through a Strenna Illustration.

       The Vice Provincial, Father Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, represented the community to thank Father Provincial and everyone in the Salesian Family. In the same warm and joyful atmosphere, other members of the Salesian Family also sent everyone their own New Year greetings that were shown via pre-recorded video.

       After a short break, the Mass was solemnly and fervently held. In the Homily, Father Provincial emphasized the creative character of love among Salesians while serving young people. According to him: “Without creativity in love, Salesians cannot reveal to young people the heart of a good shepherd, the heart of the 'second Don Bosco' present among them.”

       The day closed with thanks from Brother Martino Bui Van Luan, Salesian Family Councillor, to everyone, especially those who contributed to the good organization of the meeting.

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