EAO Region, 12 February 2021 -- As for every year in most of the East Asian countries, the Lunar New Year celebrations are of utmost importance, being celebrated as the Spring Festival - we may say like Christmas celebrations in Western cultures. This year the New Year falls on 12 February under a variety of names: SEOLLAL (Korea), LUNAR NEW YEAR, TET (Vietnam), SPRING FESTIVAL or CHINESE NEW YEAR.
Probably almost two billion people in all countries of South East Asia with a sizeable percentage of Chinese ethnic population like in Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore are involved in these celebrations with many specific traditions, customs - especially as a family gathering feast. Of course, during the pandemic in a somewhat different mood. Depending on the country, the holidays last from 3 days up to two weeks - until the Lantern festival (15th day of the new year).
The Year of the Ox symbolizes: 'confidence, power, stability, fertility, determination, and even stubbornness', while this year probably good number of the traditional large celebrations are mostly scaled down due to the health restrictions.
Within the pandemic restriction limits this 2021, Lunar New Year is celebrated around the East Asia provinces with our children and young people (Taiwan), with special wishes on Salesian media (Vietnam), within a circle of conferes and online Eucharist (Hong Kong - Macau), special dishes and time to talk. Also in the SDB General House the Eucharist on February 12th is celebrated by the EAO Regional Councillor, Fr Joseph Phuoc and the Goodnight is given by Fr Alfred Maravilla, Councillor for the Missions.
Pope Francis during the last Wednesday general audience mentioned: "....in the East and various other parts of the world, millions of men and women will celebrate the Lunar New Year this coming Friday, Feb 12. To all of them and to their families, I wish to express my heartfelt greetings, together with the wish that the new year might bear the fruit of fraternity and solidarity. At this particular time, in which we are very concerned about facing the challenges of the pandemic that touches people physically and spiritually, but also influences social relationships, I express the hope that everyone might enjoy complete health and serenity of life. Lastly, while I invite that we pray for the gift of peace and every other good, I would like to remind everyone that these are obtained through goodness, respect, far-sightedness and courage. Never forget to give preference to caring for the poorest and the weakest."
Our hope is that all Salesian Family members spend these days around the 2021 New Year of the Ox with a heart open to the poorest and the weakest. With our senior members we give thanks for all graces received and with our 'homesick' missionaries (from Brazil to Mongolia) we give thanks for the gift of faith we share.
Happy New Lunar Year!
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- AustraLasia 5301 (III) Happy New Lunar Year - Pope Francis 2020
