3232 After 50 years: a Bishop named Bosco
austraLasia #3232

 
After 50 years: a Bishop named Bosco
and also a Bishop Past-Pupil (CIN)

TAINAN (TAIWAN) 8 June 2013 -- In the past two days, the Salesian Family of Taiwan have participated in an engaging programme to commemorate the arrival of the first Salesians in Taiwan exactly 50 years ago (7-8 June 1963). They celebrated around the only surviving pioneer, 86 years old Fr. John Ma Yeong Ding, the leader of the five Salesians who started the first community in Taiwan.

The Golden Jubilee of Salesian Taiwan is being celebrated throughout the whole year of 2013. The initial commemorative event was held in Taipei during the Feast of St. John Bosco last January. Now, these two days in Tainan, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, constitute the peak of the commemoration. Later, a concluding event will take place on 7 October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Boystown, Chaochou, the third Salesian presence in the Beautiful Island (Formosa).

The first part of yesterday’s event　was meant for the Salesians only. They gathered at the cemetery where some of the pioneers are buried. Fr. John Baptist Zen gave a historical review of the early years in Taiwan. This was followed by vespers and supper together. After this, the Holy Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart was celebrated in the Mary Help of Christians Parish together with the parishioners. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, SDB arrived from Hong Kong to preside at this Mass.

The second day was for the whole Salesian Family in Taiwan. They came from all over, from the north (Taipei) till the south（Pingtung, Chaochou). Even the formation community arrived from Hong Kong. In the morning - a series of events- Cardinal Joseph Zen offered a magisterial lecture on Don Bosco and DB's charismatic mission seen from the point of view of God's plan of salvation. Next was a lively sharing session from various members of the Salesian Family. There was also the afternoon games and the recitation of the Rosary and then the Holy Mass.

Aside from the presence of our Cardinal who presided and also preached the homily, the Mass was also graced by two  local bishops: the bishop of Tainan, Msgr. Bosco Lin and the bishop of Chiayi, Msgr. Thomas Chung.

It was interesting to hear Msgr. Bosco Lin who shared with us how a German Dominican gave him the baptismal name Bosco, while Bishop Thomas Chung spoke of his life in the Salesian School as a young man.

The event concluded with a family agape in the same school hall, brightened up by songs and dances from participants, young and old, coming from different regions and nationalities. This reflects the variety of cultures and languages that are recipients of the Salesian ministry: the Mandarin and the Taiwan speaking people, the native people and the immigrants from the Philippines and Vietnam. This also revealed how, after 50 years, the commitment of the Salesian Family is an assurance for the future of Don Bosco’s charismatic mission in Taiwan. As the participants bid their goodbye's, the younger people were wishing one another with the joyful optimism of seeing each other at the centennial celebrations 2063!