By A. Maung Maung, SDB

       Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar, 18 November 2021 -- On 13 November 2021, on the feast day of Bl. Artemides Zatti, SDB, who led the holy Salesian Brother Vocation till the last breath, Don Bosco Nazareth community organized a seminar under the title, “who is the Salesian Brother?”, in order to promote the Salesian Vocation among the young in Myanmar. In the past, there were some Salesian Brothers, but for the time being, there are only two Salesian Brothers persevering in the vice-province.

       Due to the conservative influence of Myanmar Culture and lack of proper understanding and of encouragement from the part of parents and relatives, many Salesian Brothers left the congregation. In other words, Myanmar people usually understand that monks or priests, and nuns mean the people who consecrate their whole lives to God or Buddha, wearing a kind of sacred cassock, and teaching or preaching the Word of God, or the teachings of Buddha. The fact that Salesian Brothers do not wear a specific habit is an obstacle to Myanmar people in understanding and accepting the unique life of the Salesian Brother. This is why this event of the promotion of Salesian Brother Vocation is very necessary and effective among the young people and the parents.

       There were only about 70 participants present atn the event, including the parish youth, some students, 8 novices and some Salesians. However, when we posted the talk videos on the Facebook, there were over one thousand viewers within a day. The ceremony began with the opening prayer by Fr. Saw John Shine Win, SDB, and then followed by the welcome speech of Fr. Joseph Aung Kyaw, SDB, the new rector of Don Bosco-Nazareth. Afterwards our most senior confrere, Fr. Maurice Vallence, SDB, delivered his talk on the Salesian Brother Vocation. Furthermore, the short life clip of Bl. Artemides Zatti was showed on the screen by the Social Communication Sector. After that, Bro. Stephen Tuang Lian Pau, SDB, the most senior Salesian Brother shared his vocation story, highlighting the challenges of the Salesian Brother Vocation in the context of Myanmar Culture.

       The ceremony was successfully concluded with a Don Bosco Song sung by the youth and conclusion prayer. Every body was happy and delighted with the talks and enjoyed the event with the Salesian Spirit. And we do pray that vocations of Salesian Brother increase in the vice-province in the future.

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