austraLasia
#1815
The meaning of 'Salesian
Family' - RM develops the theme in Asian context
HO CHI MINH CITY: 14th April 2007 -- In a tightly packed run of events, the Rector
Major Fr Pascual Chávez, continued to develop a theme he has often returned to
in recent times - the nature of the Salesian Family as an apostolic movement
under Don Bosco's charism. In the morning at Tam Hai, a Salesian praish
near the provincial house in HCM, he met with Salesian Cooperators, past pupils
and a number of parents of confreres, as well as many representatives of the
parish itself.
"The Salesian Family", he said, "is a
movement of spirituality and apostolate, comprising Salesians SDB, Salesian
Sisters, and lay people who commit themselves to the salvation of the young in
need and employ the preventive system of education in order to do so". There
were questions about the role of non-Catholic and indeed non-Christians who are
active members of Salesian works in Vietnam. The Rector Major indicated
that they, especially the non-Christians, can be termed 'Friends of Don Bosco',
yet, he indicated that the matter still needs reflection especially in the Asian
context where Catholics are in the minority.
By the
afternoon it was the preventive system in action as two and a half thousand
young people came in to honour the presence of the Rector Major. They came
from Salesian parishes and communities, but also from other parishes and groups
where Salesians are involved. The Rector Major delivered his message by
way of the technique he now regularly uses for these events - response to
questions, most of which were prepared earlier by a group of the young people
themselves. It was fundamentally a message of joy, hope and
happiness. This event was followed by a Mass concelebrated by some 50
priests. At the end of the Mass a welcome was extended to the Cardinal
Archbishop of HCM diocese, Cardinal John Baptist Pham Minh Mân. Before
him, and with the offer of a medal of Don Bosco, the Rector Major renewed the
commitment of the Salesians to serve the Church.
The day
concluded with a celebration of religious and cultural items presenting the
Beatitudes for the young, and the victory of a culture of life of one of
death. The Rector Major concluded the day's events with the Good Night in
which he asked the young people present to bring a message of joy, happiness,
life and love to Vietnamese society.
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