4721(III)_Flowers to Mary
Daily journey in the month of May
May 9, 2018
Fatumaca, Timor Leste, 9 May 2018 -- At the center of Fatumaca Salesian community and complex works is the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, a spiritual center of the whole Salesian Family of Timor Leste. During the month of May every evening at 6:15 all 200+ boarding students, aspirants, novices and Salesians pray the Rosary in a special way.
Walking, sitting together or kneeling they pray the daily Rosary to Our Lady and at the end they offer small flowers under the feet of Her statue in the Shrine. Our 21 novices are also involved in short talk to the primary school children every day and the month of Mary is also a good occasion how to share their faith.
This old tradition goes also back to Don Bosco in Valdocco. Fr. Artur Lenti reminds us: "Don Bosco’s Month of May in Honor of Mary Immaculate is less about Mary than it is about the Christian life. It is a little spiritual treatise that takes the reader on a journey from God the Creator to the promised salvation in heaven. For the May devotions then Don Bosco preferred to invite the faithful to consider Christian life and practice, rather than the “glories of Mary.” Don Bosco conceived all devotion, whether to Christ, Mary, or the Saints, as an application in real Christian life of the saying of Jesus, “If you love me keep my commandments,” with no sentimentality.
He did, however, devote the introductory exercise (set for April 30), the last two days of May, and the concluding exercise (set for June 1) specifically to Mary. For the rest of the Month he proposed to his readers for prayer and meditation the same subjects treated in spiritual retreats and parish missions."
According the traditions of our community every day the flowers are offered for a special intention from May 1 to May 31. Fatumaca community is locate amidst the fields and trees and it's very easy to find many beautiful flowers all around. This small gesture helps our large Educative and Pastoral community to nurture the faith of your youth, like 160 years ago at the Valdocco of Turin, during Don Bosco times.
Also this May 2018 when we remember the 150th anniversary of Valdocco Basilica consecration in 1868, we have a good chance to warm our hearts and faith with offering little flowers to our Mother.
Viva, Maria! Viva Gesu!
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