Interview with Brother Dominic Sai
Myitkyina, Myanmar, 19 May 2018 -- How to make the Salesian Brother identity more visible?
What’s make you happy or what fills your heart with joy?
When I witness with a good example and stay with the young people as servant of God. As Salesian Brother gradually I understand how is my vocation form different from the priest, discovering a precious gift.
What does sustain your vocation?
Prayer life, not only a working for the young, like a social worker but enjoying family spirit in the community it’s sustain my life. My favourite prayer is the Novena to Mary Help of Christians.
How did you discern the Salesian Brother vocation?
Before there were not many models, we met other Brothers in the Philippines or Thailand, they were simple, good life witness and easily approachable. Also Blessed Brothers Zatti and Sandor, are attracting me through their simple life.
Salesian Brother Vocation promotion in Myanmar Vice-province?
Difficult question. They told us – I’m asking also how can you understand. For the vocation discernment we need to make consider all Catholic Church vocation and all are the same way of holiness for the faithful. Not easy to explain to others / young or adults – parents. Good example, what I can give to the boys… totally giving.
Salesian Brothers need specialization, to be more confident in their mission like Vocation Training Center (VTC), at least some short courses in welding to be more useful for the benefit of our boys.
How do you envision the provincial community environment?
Yes, our MYM Vice-province is a Salesian Brother friendly environment. It’s OK, but we just need to continue to build this important condition for flourishing of one Salesian Vocation in two forms.
What do you treasure as participant in the previous EAO 2013 Congress (Hua Hin)?
I still treasure the sharing, what other province Brothers are doing. The life sharing was highly appreciated. We are trying to keep our identity as Salesian Priests and Brothers. We need to accompany our candidates and to guide them in the right path.
What expectation you bring to the EAO 2018 Salesian Brother Congress?
I keep deeply in my heart this question: How to make the identity more visible to the young people? What about the specific mission commitment of Brothers in other EAO countries? I would like to know, if all Salesian Brothers are only in the classroom or assisting like we do here in Myitkyina? Yes, I expect to widen my horizon about the Salesian Brother mission fields.
What did you learn from Myitkyina Vocation Training Center boys?
Our boys are rather challenging! I have learn during last year how to show good will, how to build the family spirit and live together. Our youth follow us as they feel us as their brothers and start to help each other. I have learn how to be happy in their midst, in spite of many headaches. Indeed to keep the discipline is not easy at all. They are just accustomed to their home village life.
How can Salesian Priest help the Salesian Brother vocation promotion?
In Anisakan the whole community prays for Salesian vocation (Brother and Priest) every day! Some topics related to Salesian Brother vocation can be shared in conference or homily, since most of the ordinary Catholics don’t know about this vocation. Another good initiative could be also to start the annual ‘ZATTI DAY or WEEK’ (around November 13), with talks prepared by the Brothers and supported by the Rectors (=Priests).
