4830(III)_Caring with the Heart of The Good Shepherd

EAO Curatorium in Parañaque

By Cl. April Jerome Quinto, SDB

Parañaque City, the Philippines, 23 August 2018 -- The Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist in memorial of Saint Rose of Lima (Secondary Patroness of the Philippines) prefaced the day-long meeting of Provincial Superiors [or their representatives] of the Salesian Provinces who send confreres for Theology or the Biennial Formation for the Salesian Brothers in Don Bosco Center of Studies.

Joy is the most prevailing feeling among the brothers—clerics and lay alike—who participated in the morning Eucharist. Fr Vaclav Klement, SDB EAO Regional Councilor presided over the Holy Mass. Among the concelebrants were the superiors attending the meeting the priest-formators of both the students of theology and the Blessed Istvan Sandor Salesian Brothers’ community. Fr Vaclav noted in his homily that their coming together in the Eucharist is a fitting expression of gratitude for the Salesian consecrated life that is growing in Parañaque. It is also a chance to pose a challenge and dream to make it more Salesian and more Catholic.

“We need to accept the question of Jesus.” And it is timely, continues Fr Vaclav, that the forthcoming General Chapter asks us a question instead of a statement, ‘What kind of Salesian for the young people of today?’ He closed with an appeal for missionaries as he made remarks on the historical low number of missionaries from EAO this year.

The conclusion of the mass saw the awarding of the prize to Deacon April Jerome S. Quinto, SDB and Fr. Ryan Oliver D. Bautista, SDB. They joined and won the international contest for a presentation on the two forms of Salesian vocation through the lives of Blessed Istvan Sandor and Blessed Titus Zeman. Bro Mon Callo and Fr Vaclav handed over the tablet computers they won. Finally, Fr Vaclav gave a map of China to the Sandor Community as a reminder that they pray for Salesian Brother vocations in that big country.

Breakfast followed and the meeting began in the seminar room on the third floor of Benedict XVI library.

The new three-storey building for the Sandor Community was officially blessed before lunch following a simple rite. Br Géza Nádudvari, SDB Provincial Economer of Hungary brought a bas relief of the bust of Blessed Istvan Sandor mounted on a wood. At the end of the rites, he presented it as a gift to the community and wished that it be hanged on one of the walls. It is grace that this year, Hungary sent two confreres to the Sandor Community. Fr Arnold Sanico, SDB Rector of the community, received the image and expressed his gratitude in a few words. Afterwards, the students of theology rendered a song for all the guests.

Evidently, the brothers were happy to welcome their superiors. They had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist with them, share meals together, and most importantly, there was time for colloquy. Not only did they share food but also stories and experiences—their state of life. More than a business trip, a formal meeting, the gesture of the superiors sharing the life of the confreres in initial formation was the most concrete expression of their care and support. The future pastors of the young are most grateful to receive such attention from their ‘shepherds’.

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