HONG KONG: 26th November '04 -- Things are gearing up for the first ever major seminar on Salesian history for the EAO region, to be held in Hong Kong at  Harbour View International House, from 4-6 December (arrivals on 3rd, departures on 7th).  The three days will be given over to papers and presentations from a wide range of scholars from the Salesian Family.  The seminar is being held jointly with the China DB100 celebrations.  The SDB and FMA China provincials will open the event.

    The first of the three days will be devoted to China-related topics, and will be open to local auditors.  Fr Francis Motto, Rome director of ISS, the Salesian Historical Institute, will first present the works of ISS particularly in relation to this aspect of Salesian history. He will also speak on his own study of Salesian expansion at the time of Fr Rinaldi's period as Rector Major, a period that saw major expansion into what is now known as the EAO region.  The first day will also include talks on Salesian beginnings in Japan and Thailand.

    Day two will move to Timor, Philippines, Vietnam, but also features papers and presentations by members of the Salesian Family - Salesian Sisters, Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki, The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Bishop Zen of Hong Kong will be a prominent guest on this day and evening.

    Day Three will look at the first 25 years in Australia (paper by Fr Edward Cooper AUL), the beginnings of Salesian work in Korea, and then the Don Bosco Volunteer movement in the Philippines.

    It helps to know the various acronyms in use in the history field of Salesian endeavour (for which Lexisdb can be most helpful).  ISS - Istituto Storico Salesiano; ACSSA - Associazione dei Cultori di Storia SAlesiana.  There is also the CSSM or Centro Studio di Storia delle Missioni.

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