By Cl. Juvelan Paul N. Samia, SDB

Manila, The Philippines, 6 March 2016 – On the third day of the Rector Major’s stay in the Philippines, he visited two Salesian presences that work directly with and for the poorest youth namely, Don Bosco Tondo and Don Bosco Calauan.

At around 7:00 am, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime arrived in Don Bosco Tondo. He was accompanied by Fr. Horacio Lopez, SDB, the Secretary of the Rector Major, Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB, the EAO Regional Superior, Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB, the FIN Provincial Superior, Fr. Danilo Torres, SDB, FIN Vice Provincial, and Fr. Bernard Nolasco, SDB, FIN Delegate for Social Communications.

They were warmly welcomed by the Salesian community led by the Rector, Fr. Gaudencio Carandang Jr. SDB, the parish pastoral council, the parish youth, TVET students, and a host of parishioners.

After the brief welcoming ceremony, the Rector Major ate breakfast with the confreres at the refectory. It a moment of intimate encounter among “brothers” in Don Bosco.

The Rector Major decided to greet the children and youth who were having their Sunday catechism classes. He spoke to the young people about his happiness in seeing them and spending even a few moments with them. He also congratulated the catechists for their dedication to their ministry.

The Rector Major proceeded to the Rector’s office where he was shown the stole used by Blessed Pope Paul VI when he visited Don Bosco Tondo way back in 1970. The Rector Major had another chance to speak to the Salesian community in private. Fr. Carandang introduced the members of the Salesian community to the Rector Major, telling him of their respective assignments in the house: Fr. Eduardo Hila, SDB, Parish Priest, Fr. Caesar Dizon, SDB, Youth In-Charge, Fr. Martel Ramos, SDB, Economer, Fr. Danilo Locquiao, SDB, Confessor.

The Rector Major inquired about the demographics of the parish. Fr. Hila informed him that the parish consists of about a hundred thousand parishioners. The parish catechists also minister to three public schools (2 elementary schools and 1 high school) with a total of about five thousand students.

The confreres also shared to the Rector Major their other works namely, TVET Center, boarding house, and Youth center.

At 8:30 am, the Rector Major concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB and the other Salesian priests. He gave his homily in Italian while Fr. Danilo Torres translated it in Tagalog. The Rector Major did not hide his delight in seeing the Rondalla play songs in the Mass. According to him, after having visited so many Salesian presences in more than 40 countries, this is the first time again that he saw a Rondalla play. He recalled to the people how he himself organized one such group when he was in Argentina.

After communion, the parish youth ministry and some selected TVET students performed their respective dance presentations in honor of the Rector Major. Fr. Carandang also give the token of appreciation to the Rector Major from the community of Don Bosco Tondo.

The Rector Major had some photo ops with the members of the Salesian family after the Holy Mass. And then, he went back to the Rector’s office to take some light snacks before travelling to Don Bosco Calauan, and again to share some intimate moments with the confreres.

When he went out of the office, he was surprised to see the Rondalla ready to play another set of songs for him. They did treat him to some good music as their way of expressing their heartfelt gratitude and bidding him good bye. He surprised everyone by playing guitar together with the Rondalla group.

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