austraLasia 1457
In the wake of a centenary celebration
HONG KONG: 20th February 2006 -- By now the Rector Major
is at the other end of the globe, in Johannesburg, two centenaries
behind him. No doubt there will be reflections on the first of those,
in India. But here, for starters, are a few thoughts of the second, in
China.
The Chinese have taught us that the longer and the better you
prepare, the more lasting the fruits are likely to be. Preparation for
last week began remotely, ten years ago, with the refocusing of
province identity. They began or re-focused works for poor youth, one
each in Hong Kong (Youth Outreach), Macau (Escuela Luigi Versiglia),
Taiwan (Boys Town) and did their best to go back to their own roots in
the Salesian martyrs, with a pilgrimage. Then came three years of
proximate preparation focusing on two main points: unity of the
Salesian Family in action and strengthening love for poor youngsters.
These ideals came out in the celebrations...trawl back through the RM's
comments which have been recorded in these pages about as fully as the
medium allows for. But recall too the grand musical drama of the
centenary prepared by 19 schools belonging to the Salesian Family, and
the efforts to focus on getting to know Don Bosco better (Don Bosco
Discovery Centre and music and art competition).
There were things that will pass immediately: public buses in HK
have been broadcasting one minute 'spots' about the celebrations.
That's finished now. Articles appeared in the HK Diocesan Weekly, the
Sunday Examiner, in the Macau Daily, the Salesian Bulletin and so on.
Some things will remain in the public eye for a month or two yet.
In central HK a large 34 x 20 foot billboard about the centenary
erected by the Past Pupils. The enthusiasm generated by the liturgies
and the events themselves will carry over for a while, and of course
then there's the photos, the CDs and other paraphernalia recording the
event which will grace websites or coffee tables for a while yet.
The more longer-lasting are likely to be some other material items
such as the three books launched: Trace the Star, the history of the
province - China DB 100 years, and liturgical materials highlighting
outstanding Salesians since the time of Bishop Versiglia. The Don
Bosco Discovery Centre will remain and highlight many features of Don
Bosco and Salesainity in an interactive and attractive way. Each
visiting EAO Provincial was given a beautiful chasuble with the
centenary logo, three bamboos planted in martyrs' blood growing into a
stream of DB's followers. Less material but no less tangible is likely
to be the unity of the Salesian Family. There are eight groups, the
latest formally recognised recently and promulgated during the
centenary celebrations: the SAL Sisters. Three new priests will be
ordained in June, and three novices are due to start in May - they will
make their novitiate in Cebu, however.
At an even deeper level, perhaps two other features: the Rector
Major's insistence on the re-launching of Don Bosco's dream for China
is one, the fruits of which he encouraged everyone to have no doubts
about, and the sense of wider unity for the EAO region. The event
brought together all the provincials and just about all the bishops.
AMEN!
__________________________
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