Don Bosco Da Lat celebrating the feast of Mary Help of Christians
Da Lat, Viet Nam, 24 May 2018 -- Every year, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians is the highlight of Don Bosco Da Lat. This year, great joy was added to the celebration with the graduation of students of philosophy and the blessing of the ground of the future church and pastoral center.
On May 23, 2018, the Vigil was held in the main hall of the community; and the theme was “Behold, your son.” Present at this prayerful event were all the Salesians of the post-novitiate, a good number of catholic students, Salesian cooperators, aspirants, parishioners of Don Bosco parish and family members of graduating Salesians.
Fr. Martin Duong Quoc Huy, SDB, shared with the community an inspiring sermonette. He invited everyone to imitate our Blessed Virgin Mary in being grateful to God in every moment and in all circumstances of life. A brother spoke on behalf of all graduating students to thank superiors for their guidance and accompaniment during their formation years. Fr. Joseph Nguyen Chan Hung, rector, thanked parents of brothers for generously offer their sons to the congregation and unceasing support for the community.
In the morning of May 24, 2018, family members of graduating Salesians had a meeting with Fr. Rector and Fr. Francis, Dean of study. The graduation ceremony took place in the same morning when 19 graduating students received diplomas.
The graduation Mass was presided over by Fr. Rector Joseph. During the homily, he introduced 3 brothers applying for the mission and invited the community to pray for them in a special way. He challenged graduating students to keep on making progress, particularly in the four aspects of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. Father Rector invited them to configure to Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of Mary. Toward the end of the graduation Mass, a parent spoke on behalf of all parents to thank Father Rector and formators for training their sons to become more like Don Bosco for the poor youth and for the Church. After the Mass, lunch was served for all the guests. During lunch, Father Rector gave each family of graduating brothers a small gift as token from the community.
The liturgical celebration of the Feast of Mary Help of Christian started at 4 pm. “The wedding at Cana” was prayerfully dramatized. Before the Mass was the blessing of the ground of the future church and pastoral center, which was conducted by Most Reverend Anthony Vu Huy Chuong, Bishop of Da Lat. He, then, presided over the Holy Mass. During his homily, the bishop highlighted the “silent role” of our Lady, Help of Christians in the Church and in the Salesian congregation. He extended his blessings to the construction of the church and the pastoral center. At the end of his homily, the bishop invited the whole community to sing along a Marian song, “the Fiat.” When the Holy Mass ended, a good number of the faithful lined up to offer flowers to our Lady Help of Christians.
