austraLasia 1693

'Mamma Margaret Model for the Salesian Family' - example from FIS

CEBU CITY: 20th November 2006 --  Last week's declaration, in Vatican City, of the heroic virtues of Don Bosco's mother, Mamma Margaret, thus entitling her to be called Venerable, has seen much rejoicing around the Salesian world. It would be worth a look at the several pages devoted to her on www.sdb.org, and the letters that are coming in to the Rector Major. No doubt this rejoicing is also very much the case in the East Asia-Oceania Region.  It would be good to know what celebrations are planned for the 25th. If someone lets us know we would be happy to publish news about them.
    In Cebu City, the celebrations will take place at the Don Bosco Tech's new Gym on Saturday 25th, with Salesian Family participants coming from Cebu and beyond.  The Southern Philippines Province has an extensive range of Salesian Family groups - sdb, fma, vdb, asc, past pupils, damas salesianas - and they will all be there, offering a reflection or an item in what amounts to a grand, day-long concert concluding with the Eucharist at which Fr Sanchez, the provincial, will preside.
    It is interesting to note, given the various contributions that came in to BoscoWiki translation page on the prayer for MM's canonisation, that FIS province has entirely re-worded this prayer - it is in fact a different prayer, but a worthy one!
    "O God, Father of infinite goodness, you chose your servant, Margaret Occhiena, to be the mother and teacher and first collaborator of St John Bosco, the father and teacher of youth. You led her to embrace hardship and suffering in her dedication to young people. You made of her an outstanding example of a Christian eductor, of the family spirit and of the work prompted by love and sacrifice. Grant that with the recognition of her virtues by the Church, she may become a model for all families and educators. Amen".  The other version is available from www.sdb.org.
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