3605_Searching for deeper Salesian Roots in the Pacific (RM in EAO_10)

Rector Major’s visit in Suva, Fiji - Day 2

By Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Fiji, May 7 - The Rector and Director of novice in Suva, Don Bosco House community, Fr. Taisali Leuluai described this day as the meeting of the father with his ‘spoiled children’. Indeed it’s quite rare to see the Rector major talking to the confreres of one community almost for the whole day.

The first historical visit of the Rector Major in Suva, Fiji was really characterized by ongoing searching for the deeper roots of our Charism in the Pacific. Four messages of Fr. Ángel were shared from the early morning up to the dinner with the Archbishop of Suva, Peter Loy Chong (NB: for one year was a classmate of Fr. Mosese Tui from Samoa, in the South Pacific Regional Seminary).

Morning meditation was focused on the main danger of Salesian formation that is not able to produce a deeper transformation of the Salesian hearts into the heart of the Good Shepherd like Don Bosco.

During the 3 hours marathon meeting with the three Suva formators and Fr. Mosese Tui (Delegate of the AUL Provincial for the Pacific) were discussed in depth some important themes for the long term future of the Salesian Charism in the Pacific:

• (1) Strong need for an apostolic work to be open in Fiji (possibly parish and youth center in Suva;
• (2) Solid preparation and specialization of Pacific confreres – especially in the Salesianity, formation and spiritual direction; at present there are 24 SDB and 5 novices in Pacific area;
• (3) strengthening of the Salesian formation in Samoa and Fiji and necessary opening for the theological studies out of the Pacific area;
• (4) important steps for the path towards the Pacific Delegation (as already discussed in two provincial chapters of the AUL);
• (5) joint reflection on the stronger vocation of Pacific Salesians;
• (6) possible future expansion of our presence to The Kingdom of Tonga.

The two hours long open sharing with the whole formation community was characterized by lively exchange with the Rector Major about the sense of the Congregation today and main strengths and challenges of the Salesians. Some interesting questions about the discernment of possible first missionary vocations among the Pacific confreres, about the dynamics of international, intercultural and multi-generational communities of the Australia-Pacific Province (among the 11 SDB and 5 novices in Suva there are 5 different nationalities (Australia, Fiji, Myanmar, Samoa and Tonga). At the end of the talk Fr. Ángel handed over to the Rector the new edition of ‘The Project of Apostolic life’ (Association of the Salesian Cooperators) as a mild invitation to launch this essential group of the Salesian Family in Fiji.

After the Eucharist presided by the archbishop of Suva with the homily of the Rector Major about the first commandment of Christian love, there was a wonderful feast. Some 60 participants enjoy the traditional welcoming kava ceremony and the meal followed by songs and dances (some Sunday School children, local parishioners and well- wishers mixed with the Salesians).

Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong was present until the late evening. In spite of heavy schedule (three busy days of formation sessions) the archbishop shared with Fr. Ángel some kind of ‘working dinner’. There was a very concrete exchange between the Rector Major and the archbishop about the possible first apostolic presence of the Salesians in Suva diocese. Both sides were very happy with this sharing which will be hopefully followed by some practical steps towards the first Salesian apostolic work in Fiji in near future.