A good number of fresh news items from all five continents where there are Past Pupils of Don Bosco, brings a breath of fresh air for the whole Salesian Family - with new initiatives, life and mission testimonials from Europe (Malta, Italy and Spain), from the Americas (USA, Argentina), from Africa (Togo, Zambia, Malawi), from Oceania (Papua New Guinea) and from Asia (Philippines, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Laos).
It is good to read the advertisement for the newly published biography of the 'Poet of Valdocco' - Mr. Carlo Gastini, the founder of the worldwide movement of Don Bosco Past Pupils (1833-1903) and the 2021 anniversary of our Bosconian, Akash Bashir (Lahore, Pakistan) who offered his life for many others on March 15, 2015.
But probably the most exciting for all Past Pupils of Don Bosco around the world is the annoucement by their President about the first 'mostly online World Assembly' that is being prepared for next Autumn 2021:
..."Last year has been start of the Jubilee year of 150th anniversary of Past Pupils and celebrations of this special and blessed time. We continue to enjoy ad draw from this unique time period also in the 2021 since the Jubilee year is going to last until October 2021. It has been planned to realize celebrative activities along we the Jubilee year until the autumn of 2021, as this is going to be time for next General Assembly of World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco.
It has really been almost 6 years from our last meeting in Rome during the General Assembly in 2015 and from the very last election for Presidency. This time, the General Assembly seems to happen for the first time mostly in the online space. It is the actual situation and expectations for the rest of the year of 2021 that leads us in the World Presidency, in order to follow the statute, to organize and start planning the next General Assembly as an online conference.
I would like to ask you for your prayers and support and undivided attention to any news during incoming months since for all of us I tis very new experience and quite big challenge. At the same time we have seen the example of lead on this field during January´s Days of Salesian Spirituality which took place online. Besides lack of personal meeting and opportunity of visiting the places of Don Bosco we have identified many advantages of such manner for the General Assembly...."
Asa consequence, the Asia - Oceania GEX World Councilor, Mr Niel Evangelista, is launching preparations for a Regional Congress (online) with the first online encounter scheduled for 17 April 2021. If you missed this communication, you may contact him at: gex.asiaoceania@gmail.com, to be part of the preparation journey, especially in those EAO locations, where the the 'Federation of Don Bosco Past Pupils is not yet fully developed.
