By Our Own Correspondent
Pisana, Rome. June 2, 2015 - After 10 days of the second DB 200 Pilgrimage of the THA province (Thailand-Cambodia-Laos) the participants under the guidance of Fr. John Bosco Theparat were able to meet the Rector Major for a moment of a family good night talk and photo session - group and individual photos.
It was a true family meeting, started at 9 PM, on the last evening of the THA confreres in Rome, before their departure for Lourdes and Paris on their return to Bangkok. During a short waiting time the general house ice cream was shared: today a successor of Fr. Giuseppe Nicolussi as the rector of the General House was announced - Fr. Manolo Jimenez (Spanish origin, 30 year missionary in Africa - six years a provincial of AFO province and last six years a provincial of ATE province).
After a brief presentation the Rector Major realized the variety of nationalities among the 22 confreres (Thai, Cambodia, Phillipines, Vietnam and Madagascar) who work in all three countries of the THA province - Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Fr. Angel stressed the need of international and multicultural communities in the Congregation now!
The confreres shared about the fruits of the pilgrimage experience - a kind of spiritual retreat, prayerful time of knowing more Don Bosco, Dominic Savio, Mamma Margaret and Giovanni Cagliero. A prayer in Becchi, Valdocco and reflection about the early days of Don Bosco life and mission deepen their love for our Father. Witness of poverty, living and working together of the first Salesians like Rua and Cagliero impressed them a lot.
On his part, Fr. Angel shared his experience of Cagliero Land - Argentinian Patagonia where our first missionaries only with a great love of God and love for Don Bosco build from nothing the local Church, travelling on the horse back thousands of kilometers, sleeping on the dusty ground.
Main message of the short Good Night talk were the words of encouragement to the THA province confreres to work focused on the mission for the poorest young people. This is the condition to be able to celebrate the 300 Birthday of Don Bosco in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and start with new Salesian vocations new presences in Laos as well. Having a wonderful Congregation, we need to keep God at the center of our hearts, love Don Bosco and the Youth - especially those most in need.
After the Good Night Talk a familiar photo session - first the personal picture then the group photo was taken and some gifts offered to the Rector major. Tomorrow morning after the 6 AM Eucharist the whole group will depart from Fiumicino airport.
In the well planned Bicentenary Year of Don Bosco's Birthday the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos province did prepared two groups of pilgrimage to the Salesian Holy Places. Last April a group of younger confreres, this time a second groups of more mature confreres reached also the General House in Rome.
