By Do Phuc, SDB
HCM Vietnam, 22 May 2024 -- On May 20, 2024, at the Provincial House Community of the Salesian Province of Don Bosco Vietnam, Father Alfred Maravilla, General Councillor for the Missions, representing the Rector Major, had a meeting with Salesian confreres of the Saigon – Dong Nai – Western Region of Vietnam, ending the days of Extraordinary Visits to the Vietnam Province. The meeting brought together 110 confreres, including Father Provincial, Barnabas Le An Phong and his Councillors. Before that, Father Alfred also had meetings with confreres in the Central Highlands and Northern Delegation.
From 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Father Alfred shared with the confreres the main issues he noted during his time meeting with each confrere in every Salesian community in Vietnam. He left specific instructions to help the Vietnamese Province continue to carry out the Salesian mission with transformational steps from thinking to action in order to bring educational benefits to young people and joy in the consecrated life of Salesians. After that, he also shared a few things about the situation of the congregation at the world level, helping everyone get necessary and interesting information on a broader level.
After the general meeting, everyone joined the Mass to celebrate Mary - Mother of the Church, presided over by the Father Provincial. After the Mass, Fr Barnabas represented the VIE Province in thanking Father Alfred for his enthusiasm and the useful things he brought to the Vietnam Province in the name of the Rector Major.
On the morning of May 21st, Father Alfred left Vietnam, ending his extraordinary visitation to the Vietnam Province.