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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