By Br. Juvelan Paul N. Samia, SDB
(Parañaque, The Philippines) May 23, 2016: On the eve of the Solemnity of Mary, Help of Christians, the principal Patroness of the Salesian Congregation, the students of theology from the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco and the Salesian brothers from the EAO Salesian Brothers’ Formation House (Bl. Stephen Sandor Community) staged an academy in honor of the Blessed Mother.
The program was dubbed as “MARY Brought Us Together from the Countries of the West to the Eastern Skies So Bright” in recognition of Our Lady’s special role in bringing together the confreres from various countries of the world in one place.
Fr. Crisostomo Magbitang, SDB, the Catechist of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco, opened the program with a special prayer invoking the protection and blessing of Our Blessed Mother, Mary Help of Christians.
The brothers from seven countries in Asia presented their respective cultural items that showcase their special devotion to Mary:
- The Indonesian confreres sung the Ave Maria in Bahasa Indonesia.
- The brothers from Japan sung the Ave Maria by Fr. Hiroki Amemiya, SDB.
- The Koreans sung Joht Kido Joht Ul Si Go by Fr. Vincenzo Donati, SDB.
- The brothers from Myanmar represented the eight major tribes from their country and sung Psalm 85 in Myanmar language.
- The Filipino confreres from the FIN and FIS provinces sung and danced the Ugoy ng Duyan.
- The brothers from Timor Leste sung the Nosa Senhora De Nazare’, the song sung by the Dominican missionaries when their arrived in that country in 1515.
- The Vietnamese brothers sung and danced Me La Ben Doi and promoted the popular image of Our Lady of La Vang.
After the presentations, the confreres from the two formation houses stood up and prayerfully sung O Help of Christians.
Fr. Henry Bonetti, SDB, Rector of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco, concluded the program with the traditional Buona Notte. He reminded the confreres of the Blessed Mother’s real presence in all the Salesian Houses. He also told them that “(real) devotion to Mary does not consist in saying Aves but in faithful imitation of her virtues.”
