Half day of family meeting with the successor of Don Bosco (MYM_RM III)

By Fr. Naing Mariano, SDB
Photos: By Fr. Leo Mang, SC

Anisakan, Myanmar, 28 October 2016 -- The second half of the day, 28 October, Rector Major gave all his time to be with the young and the Salesian family. The afternoon program which began at 2:00 p.m. concluded only at 10:00 p.m. at night.

An hour of encounter with 700 young people who have come from different Salesian Presences was a heart-warming moment. In his message to the young people Rector Major emphasized the importance of being happy in the life of a young. He also highlighted the need to live one’s vocation with enthusiasm and challenged the young to listen to the call to Religious, especially to become salesians and daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Then seven youth raised different questions to Rector Major. The questions were about his family, his vocation story, what makes him so joyful and enthusiastic, ways and means of overcoming the difficult times in life, etc… One of them made a request to push the Salesians in Myanmar to speed up with the program of Vocational Training Centers so as to help the young with decent employment and just pay. Rector Major responded to the questions of the young with much love and affection that the young were so happy with his responses to their questions. The encounter ended with singing along with Rector Major. The times of singing were the most heart touching moment. The young joined the singing with all their heart and soul. Indeed, music became a means of communication between Rector Major and the young.

Another one hour was spent at the FMA convent called Mornese which is adjacent to Nazareth Aspirantate. Sisters and the girls gave Rector Major a very grand welcome and hosted him with tea. That was a moment of family encounter. The conversation was full of joy and happiness. All the FMA who were in the country were present for this moment of reception of the Rector Major.

Then Rector Major also met five novices as he walked in the premise of the Novitiate. He encouraged them to search for the will of God through prayers and reflection. He stressed that the desire to work for the young is not adequate motivation to be a salesian. They are to configure themselves to the heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. was another challenging moment. Rector Major met the Provincial Council and it was indeed a precious moment for the Vice Province. Vice Province of Myanmar is so young that we still have to learn many things. Rector Major clarified with the nature of the animation and governance that the provincial council in the vice province.

Salesian Family Dinner was served to the SDB, FMA, Past pupils and the some of our lay collaborators. There were altogether about 100. The dinner was grace with Burmese Royal Traditional Music show. The cultural presentation continued till 10:00 p.m. Ethnic diversity of Myanmar is brought to light. Salesian houses are situated in the 5 states of the country. So the cultural presentation was done by each salesian presence with the characteristics of each state. The presentation was so colorful and lively that they fully captured the mind of the audience.

The day was indeed very short for the vice province, especially the young who have gathered to meet Rector Major. However, it was indeed a day full of so many activities for Rector Major. He went though this hectic schedule without demonstrating even a bit of tiredness. Then, all of us retired to bed with much joy and satisfaction.

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