Anisakan, Myanmar, 9 August 2024 -- The Salesian Congregation's General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Alfred Maravilla, has been on a Mission Animation Visit to the Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province of Myanmar (MYM) from Saturday 3 to Wednesday 7 August 2024. "I came above all to concretely express the closeness of the Rector Major and the General Council to the confreres who are experiencing a very difficult moment in the history of their country," he explained at the beginning of his visit.
To better understand the situation of his confreres and the local Salesian Family, Fr Maravilla visited the communities of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Anisakan and Mandalay. Most of his time has been dedicated to dialogue and listening to men and women religious. And despite the restrictions imposed by the current socio-political situation, on 6 August all the communities of the Vice-Province were represented at the full-day Provincial Assembly held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Vice-Province's foundation.
On that occasion, Fr Maravilla offered a conference in the morning and one in the afternoon on missionary topics, followed by group discussions that led to concrete proposals presented to the Provincial and his Council. The highlight of the celebration was the evening community Eucharist.
In the homily, the General Councillor for the Missions encouraged his confreres "to be strong, in the conviction, based on our Christian faith, that evil will never have the last word. Even if we have to suffer now, we are sure that in the end truth will win over lies, and God will triumph over evil.” "This is the source of our inner strength," he added, "which makes us Salesians bearers of hope for our people, who are severely tormented." The day ended with a fraternal agape.
During his visit, Fr Maravilla also met with the Provincial Council to discuss relevant issues concerning the life and activity of the MYM Salesians in this difficult situation.
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