3757_For the Happiest Salesians, Provincial Day in KOR

By Bro. Hilario Seo, SDB

Daejeon, Korea, October 3, 2015 - The Korean Salesians held the Provincial Day last October 2-3 in Daejon Salesian Youth Center. From the aspirants to the oldest confrere, 70 years of salesian profession and 60 years of priesthood life, 97 confreres gathered to share the communitarian fraternity as sons of Don Bosco.

In the Provincial Day was introduced the 15th Provincial Chapter held in last August and made the reflection on how to concretely apply the life of a mystic, prophet and servant to the daily life in the light of the 27th General Chapter. It was followed by an opening prayer at 4 pm, then a presentation about the result of the Provincial Chapter by its Regulator, Fr. John Jong. Then the brief information on the use of new e-mail address applied to all the KOR salesians (***@sdb.kr) were also tackled by SC delegate, Bro. Hilario. As the Buona notte and welcoming speech by the Vice-Provincial, Fr. Marcelo Baek followed, he presented about his last trip to Manila for the Curatorium and some updates of the confreres in the Philippines. After the dinner, reflection sharing followed, which was prepared by Fr. Valentino Sin on the application of the 15th Provincial Chapter.

Engrossed to the fun prepared by different communities and the conduction of Fr. Mathew Hwang, the MC, the night passed unnoticed. It also gave time for the 25th anniversary of the religious profession of some confreres wherein Fr. Gabriel Oh, Fr. Francis An and Fr. Paul Chang participated. Fr. Josep Jeong and Fr. Francis Kim, who were on a mission abroad sadly were not able to join.

At the end of the fellowship, Fr. Stephan Yang, the Provincial gave a crucifix carved with the good shepherd to each of the community and gave a concluding speech with the recommendation that all the confreres make efforts and help each other to fully realise his vocation as the religious person assiduously with what we have gained by grace of the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of Don Bosco.

The 2nd day that started with a Holy Mass was spent with various and fun games prepared by the young confreres of Sinandong Community in Kwangju. This time confirmed the youthfulness of the confreres again. The confreres’ hunger was filled by the bulky BBQ and bacon prepared by Jeongrimdong Community in Daejeon.

With the lunch all the Provincial Day programs ended. Each one, getting back to one's community, was filled with the words of the Provincial, given in his homily, "Would the Province be the happiest if each confreres feel being loved by the young and be able to realise their vocation. That's why all of us must try our utmost happiness that was presented to us like the dream of the Rector Major." Happy Salesian for all!