austraLasia
1457
In the wake of a
centenary celebration
HONG KONG: 20th
February 2006 -- By now the Rector Major is at the other end of the globe,
in Johannesburg, two centenaries behind him. No doubt there will be
reflections on the first of those, in India. But here, for starters, are a few
thoughts of the second, in China.
The Chinese have taught
us that the longer and the better you prepare, the more lasting the fruits are
likely to be. Preparation for last week began remotely, ten years ago,
with the refocusing of province identity. They began or re-focused works
for poor youth, one each in Hong Kong (Youth Outreach), Macau (Escuela Luigi
Versiglia), Taiwan (Boys Town) and did their best to go back to their own roots
in the Salesian martyrs, with a pilgrimage. Then came three years of
proximate preparation focusing on two main points: unity of the Salesian Family
in action and strengthening love for poor youngsters. These ideals came
out in the celebrations...trawl back through the RM's comments which have been
recorded in these pages about as fully as the medium allows for. But
recall too the grand musical drama of the centenary prepared by 19 schools
belonging to the Salesian Family, and the efforts to focus on getting to know
Don Bosco better (Don Bosco Discovery Centre and music and art
competition).
There were things that will pass
immediately: public buses in HK have been broadcasting one minute 'spots' about
the celebrations. That's finished now. Articles appeared in the HK
Diocesan Weekly, the Sunday Examiner, in the Macau Daily, the Salesian Bulletin
and so on.
Some things will remain in the public eye for a
month or two yet. In central HK a large 34 x 20 foot billboard about the
centenary erected by the Past Pupils. The enthusiasm generated by the
liturgies and the events themselves will carry over for a while, and of course
then there's the photos, the CDs and other paraphernalia recording the event
which will grace websites or coffee tables for a while
yet.
The more longer-lasting are likely to be some other
material items such as the three books launched: Trace the Star, the history of
the province - China DB 100 years, and liturgical materials highlighting
outstanding Salesians since the time of Bishop Versiglia. The Don Bosco
Discovery Centre will remain and highlight many features of Don Bosco and
Salesainity in an interactive and attractive way. Each visiting EAO
Provincial was given a beautiful chasuble with the centenary logo, three bamboos
planted in martyrs' blood growing into a stream of DB's followers. Less
material but no less tangible is likely to be the unity of the Salesian
Family. There are eight groups, the latest formally recognised recently
and promulgated during the centenary celebrations: the SAL Sisters. Three new
priests will be ordained in June, and three novices are due to start in May -
they will make their novitiate in Cebu, however.
At an
even deeper level, perhaps two other features: the Rector Major's insistence on
the re-launching of Don Bosco's dream for China is one, the fruits of which he
encouraged everyone to have no doubts about, and the sense of wider unity for
the EAO region. The event brought together all the provincials and just
about all the bishops.
AMEN!
__________________________
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