3710(II)_On the feast of DB200 – “I pledge myself …”

By Bro. Anthony Pun, SDB

The Salesian Constitutions says that one of the most lofty choices a believer can make is to give himself totally to God (C23). On the day when the Salesian world is celebrating the 200th birthday of our founder St. John Bosco, a young man Cl. Philip Huang offers himself totally and forever to God. There is no greater joy to witness someone who pledges himself to follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. John Bosco on this very day of DB200.

Cl. Philip Huang made his perpetual profession in Salesian Technical School, Tainan, Taiwan. He was a graduate of the school. His family, starting from the time of his grandfather, has been the faithful of the Parish of Mary Help of Christians which is located just on the opposite side of the road to the school.

The solemn Mass was presided by Bishop Bosco Lin Chi-nan, bishop of Tainan. He received the Christian name Bosco from a German Dominican. The Bishop shared that he had a collection of Marian statues from different places in the world. One of the things Bishop Bosco learnt from his patron is his filial devotion to Our Lady. Mary has always been our guide and protector in difficult times.

Referring to the Scripture readings in the Mass, the Provincial Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti encouraged the Salesians, members of the Salesian Family, mission partners and all those present to belong more to God, to the brothers and sisters in our Family, and to the young people.

Cl. Philip Huang is going to continue his theological studies in Jerusalem. There have been four local vocations in 52 years of Salesian presence in Taiwan. Let us pray for more holy vocations!