"A really wonderful, unexpected day, full of grace
and encouragement"
bystanders comment on events later on Monday 13th in Macau
MACAU: 13th February 2006 -- This item was going to
be about the exchange between the Rector Major and the bishops - but
that can keep. Meanwhile, in the evening of the same day, today,
two very interesting and meaningful events took place. The first
was a visit to the Bishop's residence in Macau. This was more
than a courtesy call. It occurred at precisely the hour and on
the same day one hundred years later that Fr Versiglia and his group
called on the then Bishop of Macau. Fr Chávez this time used the
occasion to thank the diocese for accepting the Salesians one hundred
years ago and continuing its support for them today.
And then came a meeting with young people at Yuet
Wah College. The two 'bystanders' who made the comment that forms
the headline for this item were, significantly, Fr Rescalli and Fr
Nicosia, 94 and 91 years of age respectively. It was so partly
because of the spontaneity of the youth matched by the Rector Major's
own, but also undoubtedly because this centenary has had three years of
meticulous planning, preparation, formation of people.
The Rector Major began by telling the young people
how happy Don Bosco would be tonight, with their dances, martial arts,
dragon performances, magic. But he reminded them of the millions
of young people who were unhappy tonight, unfed, child soldiers
perhaps. Don Bosco, he said, wanted his boys to be aware of
reality and persevering in their own commitment. The Rector Major
put in a plug for Chinese youthful volunteers. "You are so privileged",
he told them, "It's nice to see young volunteers, but so far I have yet
to see some Chinese young volunteers".
Then came question and answer. Some of the
questions and indeed some of the answers we have recorded before in
these pages, but there are always new ones:
Q: Do you have any brothers and sisters, any of them
religious?
A: 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Born in a
Catholic country! ALl married, with families - except me!
Q: What do you expect from your Salesians?
What attitude do you want them to have towards us?
A: I want the Salesians in China to be for all
of you what Don Bosco was for his boys: loving young people,
ready to give their life for them, accompanying them towards fullness
of life, offering them not just a diploma bu a life project.
Q: How did you become a great Salesian priest?
A: When I was 15 I was ready to go to
university. I said to myself 'it's now or never' and became a
Salesian. I would like to see many of you as Salesians, like me.
Q: Do you have a specific method for making your
Salesians believe and trust in God?
A: That's an interesting question. As the
leader of a worldwide Congregation I need to know where I am leading
the Congregation. Together with my full-time collaborators
(councillors) we point our men towards: being faithful to Don Bosco and
the young, growing, increasing in vocations and attracting more
vocations, giving quality to our religious life and educational and
pastoral work.
The evening finished with prayer and snacks and the
RM getting a special 'made in Macau' (where else?) T-shirt with Fr
Chavez emblazoned across it in Chinese characters.
_______________________
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