HCM City, Vietnam, 22 February -- The last event of the RM's visit in the compound of the HCM City provincial house was the great Salesian Family encounter in the afternoon of February 22nd. About 900 participants from all SF groups were present: SDB, FMA, Don Bosco Past Pupils, FMA Past Pupils, VDB, SGC as well many Friends of Don Bosco, Parents of the Salesians - especially of the numerous Salesian missionaries ad gentes working in all 5 continents and some benefactors.
Fr. Angel first met the SF members in the Hall for a short talk and open forum, animated by the Salesian Cooperators. In his short address shared his feeling about his two days in Vietnam and appreciated a lot the colourful dress of the FMA and other members. As on other occasions the Father and Center of unity in the Salesian Family challenged all present to build up the Family - more open (hearts and door) to the poorest young people, more vibrant and dynamic and growing in identity, spirituality and numbers. The Caritas of Jesus Congregation was introduced for the first time to the whole Family and also the wish to see soon the ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians) to be founded.
Then followed the photo session and the Eucharistic celebration attended by more than 900 people. In his homily Fr. Angel invited all to be more grateful for the gift of Salesian vocation to the Church in Vietnam and invited to pray for the 120 SDB - FMA Vietnamese missionaries ad gentes witnessing the love of Jesus in all five continents. At the end invited all present to live the present moment of history as an hour of the Holy Spirit and to contribute to the transformation of the present world for better with the Gospel spirit like Don Bosco: "The deep Joy of Jesus disciples should be our first witness to the world!"
Then followed a Family dinner in the not-yet-finished ground hall of the new Xuan Hiep parish Church animated by songs and dances of various Salesian Family groups.
On the following day the Rector Major is proceeding to the second leg of his trip to Dalat - Bao Loc province (about 400 km from HCM City) - for another day with the Salesians, Don Bosco Salesian Family and with the Young of this region.
The Rector Major at the Salesian Youth Gathering: “We Are Family!”
HCM City, Vietnam -- On 21 February 2017, at 4:00 in the afternoon, on the second day of his visit to Vietnam, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime met with 2,100 young people from 23 different Salesian settings in the South of Vietnam, at the headquarter of the Salesians in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City. The theme of the gathering echoed the Strenna 2017: “We are a family!”
Early in the afternoon, at 2pm, different groups from Salesian schools, hostels, parishes under the care of Salesians and FMA Sisters flocked to the compound of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep. Apart from those coming from Ho Chi Minh City, other youth came from neighboring provinces like Dong Nai, Ba Ria, Vung Tau, Vinh Long and Tien Giang. This festive gathering of youth had been prepared months ahead by the Council of Youth Ministry of the Province. Participating in this joyous occasion were also several Catholic singers and Salesian Volunteers.
The celebration started with a stirring dance. At 2:30 pm, the Rector Major - accompanied by his secretary, Fr. Horacio; Fr. Klement, Councillor for the East Asia and Oceania Region; and Fr. Provincial Joseph Quang – made his way onto the stage in the midst of the exciting Dragon dance and the unceasing cheering of the youth. The young people were impressed when the Rector Major, Fr. Horacio and Fr. Klement appeared in the traditional Vietnamese dresses, the “Áo Dài.”
Fr. Ángel F. Artime and all other Salesian Superiors present joined the young people in a cheerful dance animated by Mc Fr. Francis Nguyen Van Thieu, SDB. To show their filial love for the successor of Don Bosco, a representative from the youth offered the Rector Major a “spiritual bouquet” with: 4,696 Masses; 4,599 times receiving communion; 5,964 times visiting the Blessed Sacrament; 119,772 Rosaries; 66,272 ejaculatory prayers and 6,457 acts of sacrifice. This spiritual bouquet has been gathered from the youth in 23 Salesian settings; and it is part of their spiritual preparation for the visit of the Rector Major and also an expression of their affection and gratitude to the Father of the Salesian Family.
In his message to the youth, the Rector Major began by introducing to them Salesian Saints, whose statues are placed around the compound of Xuan Hiep community, as models of our holiness. He also pointed out challenges and obstacles which may hinder them from obtaining holiness. Some questions were asked by the youth and they received instructive answers from the Rector Major. Upon being requested to sing a song, Fr. Ángel F. Artime played the guitar and sang a Spanish song together with his secretary, Fr. Horacio; their performance made young people fascinated. Right after the talk of the Rector Major was the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Quang; the Mass was concelebrated by around 70 Salesian priests. The Holy Mass was animated by a grand choir which was composed of young people, FMA Sisters, junior Aspirants, and senior Aspirants and conducted by Fr. Joachim, SDB. In his homily, The Rector Major expressed his joy being in the midst of a multitude of Salesian youth, Salesians, FMA Sisters and Catholic parents of Xuan Hiep Parish. Fr. Ángel F. Artime emphasized two important things. First of all, they should discover the will of God in their lives and cooperate with Him to realize His plan. Secondly, they should take courage to bear witness to Christ. The Rector Major asserted that when someone has confidence in God, he has the strength and courage to bear witness to Jesus. In his closing remark, Fr. Ángel F. Artime told young people that the Salesian Family always welcomes them and invites them to carry out the mission. The Rector Major also promised to pray for them all.
Before the Final Blessing, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Văn Quang spoke on behalf of the Province to thank all the young people for coming to this beautiful celebration. He also announced the forthcoming construction of the Animation Center of the Province in the site which is just nearby. He also thanked the Rector Major for his concerns and financial support in this project. Fr. Quang also invited the Rector Major to bless the first stone of this building.
After the Holy Mass, all the participants had dinner while enjoying the performance of Catholic singers. The celebration continued with interesting presentations and cultural shows offered by different groups. Fr. Ángel F. Artime accompanied the young people toward the end of the program. The gathering ended with the meaningful and moving “send-off.” With lighted candles in their hands, the young people would like to respond to the invitation of Jesus: “You are the light of the world.” Hopefully, the participants of this unforgettable event are able to bring this message into their daily lives.
Thanks to the support of The Social Communication Team of the Archdiocese of Sai Gon, The Social Communication Team of the Salesian Province of Vietnam was able to launch live streaming videos on Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.
The Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime met the Salesians in the South of Vietnam
Xuan Hiep, Vietnam, 21 February 2017 -- Tuesday, from 14:00 to 16:00 the Rector Major had a fraternal meeting with the Salesians in the south of Vietnam.
Before the Rector Major had his sharing with the conferes, the Provincial of Salesian Vietnam province, Fr. Jos Nguyen Van Quang represented for all the Salesians to greet and welcome the Rector Major to Vietnam. The Provincial said that the presence of the Rector Major is the sign of his love to Vietnam province, and this is also a encouragement for each confere in the province, in order to continue to serve the young with zeal following the footsteps of Don Bosco.
The Rector Major also expressed his thanks for Vietnam province because of its warm welcome for him. He also encouraged each confere in the province shoud always have in himself a fire of zeal and deep consecrated life so that he can devote whole his life for the service of the poor and abandoned youth. Besides, the Rector Major also shared about the beauty and vitality of the congregation and also of the Vietnam province are performing in the Church and also in the world. However, the Rector Major also invited all the conferes of the province to look at different aspects need to repent and renew, so that the vocation of each confere will be really happy in the love of God and will have strong ethusiasm for the Salesian mission.
The sharing, encouragement, or recommendations are like sources of fire for all the Salesians in Vietnam to love God, to love the congregation, to love the province, and to love the poor and abandoned youth more. And also to help strengthen the mission of the province to serve the young more effective according to the will of God and the wish of Don Bosco in each Vietnamese Salesian.
