By Bro. Hilario Seo, SDB
Seoul, Korea - The 8th December is the most important day for the Salesian Family. 174 years from now, Don Bosco met the first boy, Bartolomeo Garelli in the sacristy of St. Francis of Assisi in Turin. That meeting gave the life of the Oratory, furthermore, of the Salesian family.
That's why the Salesian family following the way of Don Bosco celebrates the solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary as one of the biggest festival, commemorating the first encounter with the poor young which is the whole reason of our salesian life.
At 19:30, an incomparable celebration was held in Daerim-dong Seoul, at the Salesian Youth Center where the like cases of Bartolomeo could be seen. In the small chapel was celebrated the 70 years of religious life and 60 years of priesthood of Fr. Jesus Molero which was filled with 300 overflowing congratulators.
The Provincial, Fr. Stefano Yang presided the Holy Mass and in his homily praised the works of Fr. Molero, who set all the Salesian's first base and firmly established its foundation. He also expressed his utmost gratitude especially for fostering the younger confreres, taking the first initiative to overloading tasks, becoming a paragon to the conferers and the great contributions for settling the root of true salesianity in Korea.
After the Mass, a 13 minutes documentary video of Fr. Molero, entitled as 'Everlasting Missionary' was shown. “Born in Spain and dispatched in Japan, - he said in the video - and coming to Korea was a great fortune of my life and hope to be treated as a Korean forever!” The crowd responded with big applause and cheer.
The rector, Fr. Marcelino Baek said, “If someone wants to see Fr. Molero, he should go to the playground where children are running and playing.” That Fr. Molero is an 'assistante' forever, running without hesitation to wherever the children are.
A sharing from the President of the Salesian Cooperators Association, Mr. Celestino Yoon, about his encounter with Fr. Molero 40 years ago followed. He recalled the behind stories of his catechumen instruction received when he was a university researcher after which always accompanied by Fr. Molero in the journey of the faith. He particularly expressed his gratitude for the offered chances to grow up and reach this stage in the Salesian family.
When the young boys of Daerimdong sang with all their heart the song for Fr. Molero, he danced joyfully all throughout the song, heightening the gayety of the boys. Singing altogether including all the participants 'Momo’, a title of the song aspirated from the nobel ‘La vie devant soi’ of Émile Ajar, Momo is the well known nickname of Fr. Molero, it heightened the joy of everyone.
“Sempre allegro. Always be happy! Nobody is sad and in despair in the house of Don Bosco. Always be happy!" repeated Fr. Molero once more. He always wants to invite the people with this exclaim, especially the young. “60 years as a priest and 70 years of religious life are all possible through God's grace.” He asked prayer for living in happiness with Don Bosco until his last breath. “I will also pray for you all and may you always live in happiness!”
We are thankful to God for giving us Fr. Jesus Molero whose whole existence is an authentic witness to the saying that, 'there's only happiness in the path of Don Bosco’. And we pray that Fr. Molero can enjoy continuous happiness to spread joy among young people with good health.
