By Fr. Anthony Kishore Minj, SDB
Darkhan, Mongolia, August 16, 2015 - Around 10. Am, after three days of intense preparation the parish community of Darkhan began the celebration of 200th birth anniversary of Don Bosco. Darkhan church was fully packed with the people young and old.
The event began with the Holy Mass, presided by Fr. Andrew Tin Nguyen SDB the Delegate of Mongolia. In his homily he emphasized on the attractive charism of Don Bosco. During the homily he asked the participants ‘who is Don Bosco?’ Spontaneously one by one the people responded, ‘Don Bosco is a father, a teacher, a friend of the young’, He is man of God, a great devotee of Mary etc.’ “Don Bosco was a stealer, stealer of the souls. He has indeed stolen the souls of the many young people in the world”, he said. He is fully alive in the world and being manifested by the Salesians, Salesian cooperators, Salesian Family and he is particularly present among the young people After the homily eight new Cooperators made their promise in front of the people to carry the charisma and charism of Don Bosco in their families and in the society. After the mass they were served with snack, meanwhile people spoke what Don Bosco has done in the city of Darkhan. The parish began with zero Catholics. Now after ten years there are more than two hundred Catholics. People highly appreciated the work done by the salesians for the wellbeing of the young people. There are more than hundred people are directly benefitting from the salesian establishment.
After the celebration in Darkhan in the morning. The whole salesian community of Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia was back in the community. At 6.pm the young people gathered in the hall to commemorate the grand event. Welcome speech was given by Fr. Anthony Kishore SDB. Thereafter, Fr. Andrew Tin Nguyen SDB presented the life history of Don Bosco through the power point, telling the young people that Don Bosco has conquered the world today through his charismatic life. Don Bosco is visible today in the young people when they smile, when they are dynamic and live sinless life. After the presentation whole assembly happily sang the birthday song for Don Bosco. Then, champion medal was granted to those who participated in the league held since August one. Thereafter they received the Don Bosco 200th birth anniversary logo.
Indeed Don Bosco is being made known. And he shining among young people. All the young people new and old has something good to say about Don Bosco. Truly, He is blooming in the land of the Chingiz Khan a great emperor as we commemorate his 200th birth anniversary.
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In this part of the world where the Salesian’s presence is less than 15 years and the celebration of Bicentenary of Don Bosco was the great privileged occasion to make him known, relive his spirit and breathe his air. While the young people of all over the world travelled to birth place of Don Bosco (Becchi,Turin) we too have travelled together with the rest of the world by our tridumn. During these three days we have journey together with Don Bosco.
The tridumn was conducted with quiz for the young and old alike. His love for work in different trades was relived among us today. The children, youth, and adults were divided in different groups for crafts, tailoring, cooking etc. To bring back fresh of his wondering Oratory was organized by going to the
river side away from the centre. Unlike his time, we have not only young people for the oratory but the children, old and aged as well. Conducted various games and had fun and joy. Of course, we did not end with that. The prayer life and his quality time with the Lord were very much seen. On the last day of the tridumn we had spiritual food served. The Sacraments of reconciliation, Eucharistic celebration and 2 hours Taize Prayer service from 8.00pm – 10.00pm.
The climax of the celebration was on the 16th August on his day of birth. We culminated in the Holy Eucharistic celebration. The bicentenary of birth of Don Bosco brings the birth of 7 new Salesian Co-operators in our family. During the homily when Fr.Andrew Trung Sdb asked them “who is Don
Bosco?” the parishioners replied; “He is the friend of youth, a teacher, a Priest etc.” But to me Don Bosco is not only the friend of youth but also children and old. I see how our children and old people participated in all the programmes and early to know more about him.
Yes, Don Bosco is very much alive in Mongolia. Long live Don Bosco!.
Sr.Agnes Gangmei fma