DALAT (Vietnam):
4th December 2007 -- To celebrate the 80th anniversary of
mission to the ethnic minority of the area, Dalat Diocese decided to
hold a Youth Day on 1st December in the Salesian Post-novitiate
compound. It was well-recognised that amongst the 25
Congregations in the Diocese, the Salesians have made a significant and
active contribution through their pastoral and educational work in
parishes, technical centres, mission stations and houses of formation
(exemplified in this instance by the post novitiate). Currently more
than one third of the confrères and works of the Province are
located in Dalat Diocese.
The Youth Day theme was 'to become missionaries in
loving and serving ones neighbours, in particular the poor and the
ethnic minorities'. The participants, almost 4,000 of them, were
representatives of all parishes and young members of religious
congregations in the diocese.
After a solemn Mass at which the bishop presided,
joined by 60 concelebrants, the young participants gathered for dinner
and then a religiously oriented programme. The Salesians
contributed not only with their facilities and with the logistics of
the day but also, led by Fr Peter Hoang sdb, contributed many important
items which spoke loudly of the mission of all disciples of Jesus
Christ, whether they come from minor or major ethnic communities.
Entrusting the organisation of this first Diocesan
Youth Day to the Salesians was yet further evidence of the local
Church's confidence in the Salesian mission and their pastoral and
educative approach to the young. It is also an appeal for
missionary zeal on the part of Salesian confrères working for
ethnic peoples to renew and improve their services to this poorest of
the poor in Vietnam.
