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austraLasia 1447

"A really wonderful, unexpected day, full of grace and encouragement"
bystanders comment on events later on Monday 13th in Macau


MACAU: 13th February 2006 --  This item was going to be about the exchange between the Rector Major and the bishops - but that can keep.  Meanwhile, in the evening of the same day, today, two very interesting and meaningful events took place.  The first was a visit to the Bishop's residence in Macau.  This was more than a courtesy call.  It occurred at precisely the hour and on the same day one hundred years later that Fr Versiglia and his group called on the then Bishop of Macau.  Fr Chávez this time used the occasion to thank the diocese for accepting the Salesians one hundred years ago and continuing its support for them today.
    And then came a meeting with young people at Yuet Wah College.  The two 'bystanders' who made the comment that forms the headline for this item were, significantly, Fr Rescalli and Fr Nicosia, 94 and 91 years of age respectively.  It was so partly because of the spontaneity of the youth matched by the Rector Major's own, but also undoubtedly because this centenary has had three years of meticulous planning, preparation, formation of people.
    The Rector Major began by telling the young people how happy Don Bosco would be tonight, with their dances, martial arts, dragon performances, magic.  But he reminded them of the millions of young people who were unhappy tonight, unfed, child soldiers perhaps.  Don Bosco, he said, wanted his boys to be aware of reality and persevering in their own commitment.  The Rector Major put in a plug for Chinese youthful volunteers. "You are so privileged", he told them, "It's nice to see young volunteers, but so far I have yet to see some Chinese young volunteers".
    Then came question and answer.  Some of the questions and indeed some of the answers we have recorded before in these pages, but there are always new ones:
    Q: Do you have any brothers and sisters, any of them religious?
    A: 6 brothers and 6 sisters.  Born in a Catholic country!  ALl married, with families - except me!
    Q: What do you expect from your Salesians?  What attitude do you want them to have towards us?
    A: I want the Salesians in China to be for all of you what Don  Bosco was for his boys: loving young people, ready to give their life for them, accompanying them towards fullness of life, offering them not just a diploma bu a life project.
    Q: How did you become a great Salesian priest?
    A: When I was 15 I was ready to go to university.  I said to myself 'it's now or never' and became a Salesian.  I would like to see many of you as Salesians, like me.
    Q: Do you have a specific method for making your Salesians believe and trust in God?
    A: That's an interesting question.  As the leader of a worldwide Congregation I need to know where I am leading the Congregation.  Together with my full-time collaborators (councillors) we point our men towards: being faithful to Don Bosco and the young, growing, increasing in vocations and attracting more vocations, giving quality to our religious life and educational and pastoral work.
    The evening finished with prayer and snacks and the RM getting a special 'made in Macau' (where else?) T-shirt with Fr Chavez emblazoned across it in Chinese characters.

_______________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml


List of Articles
No. Category Subject Views
180 CIN 2447_Creative Evangelization in Taiwan 19938
179 CIN 3212_China Province: An Elder is a Treasure in the Family 5316
178 CIN 3529_The Salesian Family Spirituality Day (CIN) 1629
177 CIN 3517_Christ the King Procession in the Western District 1388
176 CIN 1196_Macau Catholic Schools Council to review common mission of Catholic education 1324
175 CIN 0909_DON BOSCO IN CHINA: 860
174 CIN 0824_China Province Salesian publishes study of Mateo Ricci's Chinese Catechesis 674
173 CIN 3491_Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco – CIN - 655
172 CIN 3279_Retreat for Salesian Family, CIN 612
171 CIN 3325_Salesian Family Secondary Schools Seminar HK 610
170 CIN 0146_NEW SALESIAN INTERNET SERVICE ON BEHALF OF STREET KIDS 606
169 CIN 3295_40 year old Vietnamese-born Rector of the Tainan Salesian Community 600
168 CIN 2461_Salesian with long Olympic experience helps out in World Games 585
167 CIN 1550_Cardinal Zen's tough days deserve our support 585
166 CIN 3183_China Province: Don Bosco’s Heart – Heart to Heart 579
165 CIN 3471_Cardinal Zen 70 years since entering the aspirantate, 50 of teaching 579
164 CIN 3353_Taiwan Cooperators' New Blood 578
163 CIN 1460_Congratulations to our new Joseph Cardinal-elect Zen 567
162 CIN 2909_Breviary app in Chinese a definite 'first' 567
161 CIN 3113_An oath of faith and holiness 565
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