austraLasia
1453
Taiwan: "the best
wine comes last", and one up for
Mary!
TAINAN: 17th February 2006 --
Today, 17th February had more than one Gospel feel about it in Taiwan as the
Rector Major arrived (midday) and spoke first of all to the entire Salesian
cohort on the island, from communities in Taipei, Pintung and Tainan. The group
was joined by the latest arrival, Fr Eloy (Bolivian, who up until now has been
studying English in Ireland. Now he starts on Chinese!) and a Taiwanese
prenovice. Fr. Chávez did say that it was a case of leaving "the best wine
till last"; he was also unknowingly, for a moment or two, "broadcasting from the
rooftops" when a microphone got left on! The 1800 students listening could
only have been impressed. Perhaps a new method for seeking vocations has
been found by one of those coincidences, like the way dynamite was
discovered!
Taiwan is the youngest Salesian presence in
the China province (1963), but the Rector Major wasn't talking about 'young
wine'; rather he was referring to the matured experience he has now had of
China, taking it all in over this week, and he has, as we all know, moved around
considerably in that time."The more I come to know the province the more I
appreciate it", he told them.
He gave much of his time to
the confreres in interaction, allowing good opportunity for question and
answer. One of the provocative questions, in the best sense of
'provocative', came from a confrere who wondered if there had been sufficient
pressure put on the Church Universal concerning a more public ecclesial
recognition of Mary Help of Christians. As the questioner pointed out,
Mary under this title does not actually feature in the Roman universal
calendar. It was a point well made, the RM conceded, noting that it is,
even from his own experience, one of the most widespread Marian devotions in the
worldwide Church. Spain alone has 50,000 ADMA members (Association of Clients of
Mary Help of Christians, founded by Don Bosco himself). It is a founding trait
of the Salesian charism, he pointed out. Another question was on the
recent 'tour' of relics of St. Dominic Savio.....the question was not limited to
the relics of the young Saint, and the RM responded by saying he had come to
realise just how effective a 'visit' of this kind would be to these parts
(meaning Asia).
Later, the RM met with the 1800 members of
the Tainan coed. Technical School. The Pintung 'Boys Town' group of 25 were
included for the day. He reminded them they have been 'dreamed of' by Don
Bosco and gave them a simple formula for life: seek the good, the true, the
beautiful in your personal life; believe in being more human, honest citizens
and committed to good; remember that love is the only power that overcomes
death. Help the poor and grow in solidarity.
Later again
he met with the Salesian Family, some 200 of them. Tainan's Bishop Bosco
(Salesian by name!) was there too. The Rector Major used the occasion to
reflect on Mexico's situation where Salesians were expelled twice.
After beginning three times, look what they have achieved
now. This gave him some appreciation of the situation for the China
province. A mass followed, and a dinner. Perhaps more of that
another time to wind up this extended coverage of the Rector Major's visit to
China Province.
__________________
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