austraLasia #3212
HONG KONG: 3 April 2013 -- As the Chinese saying goes, “An old man at home, a treasure in the home.” Old age is often considered to be a sign of God’s blessing not just for the person but also for the family.
On 1st April, Easter Monday, when the Universal Church was celebrating with great joy the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Salesians in China Province were at the same time celebrating two important occasions:
(1) The official opening of the Provincial Chapter, and,
(2) The 100th birthday of Fr. Ernesto Rescalli, SDB.
Fr. Rescalli was born in a village near Milan, Italy, in 1913, just before the beginning of World War I. A missionary to China for 78 years, he has been a Salesian for 77 years, having made his first profession in Hong Kong in 1936. He studied theology in Shanghai and was ordained priest there on the Feast of St. Francis of Sales (29 January) 1945. Back in Macau, he began his work as Catechist, first in Instituto Salesiano (1945-1950), then in St. Louis Hong Kong (1950-1957), and then, back in Macau, for well over 50 years in Yuet Wah College (1957-2011). As Fr. Rescalli shared with us, Yuet Wah College had always been his mission.
In the homily, Cardinal Zen reminded us that we Salesians are like candles. In order to bring the light of the risen Lord to others, we have to sacrifice ourselves, letting ourselves be burnt. Fr. Rescalli had been an excellent example for us. In spite of his old age, he evangelized with the best effort he could give. He heard confessions. He sat beside the main corridor of the campus and distributed bookmarks printed with religious messages to teachers and students. Only two years ago, he left the community of Yuet Wah College and joined Braga House, the community for elderly confreres in Hong Kong.
China Province: An Elder is a Treasure in the Family
HONG KONG: 3 April 2013 -- As the Chinese saying goes, “An old man at home, a treasure in the home.” Old age is often considered to be a sign of God’s blessing not just for the person but also for the family.
On 1st April, Easter Monday, when the Universal Church was celebrating with great joy the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Salesians in China Province were at the same time celebrating two important occasions:
(1) The official opening of the Provincial Chapter, and,
(2) The 100th birthday of Fr. Ernesto Rescalli, SDB.
Fr. Rescalli was born in a village near Milan, Italy, in 1913, just before the beginning of World War I. A missionary to China for 78 years, he has been a Salesian for 77 years, having made his first profession in Hong Kong in 1936. He studied theology in Shanghai and was ordained priest there on the Feast of St. Francis of Sales (29 January) 1945. Back in Macau, he began his work as Catechist, first in Instituto Salesiano (1945-1950), then in St. Louis Hong Kong (1950-1957), and then, back in Macau, for well over 50 years in Yuet Wah College (1957-2011). As Fr. Rescalli shared with us, Yuet Wah College had always been his mission.
In the homily, Cardinal Zen reminded us that we Salesians are like candles. In order to bring the light of the risen Lord to others, we have to sacrifice ourselves, letting ourselves be burnt. Fr. Rescalli had been an excellent example for us. In spite of his old age, he evangelized with the best effort he could give. He heard confessions. He sat beside the main corridor of the campus and distributed bookmarks printed with religious messages to teachers and students. Only two years ago, he left the community of Yuet Wah College and joined Braga House, the community for elderly confreres in Hong Kong.
