austraLasia #2106

The Lions dance in blessing. Japan celebrates

ROME: 26th March 2008 --  Last night a packed Aula Magna witnessed a cultural feast which had the Rector Major and for that matter his Vicar draped in every imaginable costume from around the world.  It was a joyful and enthusiastic gathering of Chapter members and Salesian Family who had gathered to conclude one of the great highlights of any General Chapter - the election of the Rector Major and his Vicar.
    EAO decided, instead, to drape the entire auditorium in choreographed movement and colour thanks to two 'Lions'. The lion dance originated in China about 2000 years ago and has many regional versions from around East Asia.  But everyone from the Region got into the act one way or another, some in national costume.
    The purpose of the Lion Dance, arguably one of the best items of the night, followed long Chinese tradition - if well performed it believed to bring luck, and on this occasion the blessing sought was on the next six years of the Congregation.  Earlier on the Rector Major, in an 'unpublished' Good Night (he spoke off-the-cuff and from-the-heart) had expressed his enthusiasm and love for the Congregation and its members, but also referred to the challenge of the 'point of no return', with an unusual application of the biblical parable of Dives and Lazarus, urging the Congregation and its members to live and work with the knowledge that they can do things now, while there is time, to fulfil the God-given mission handed on to them through Don Bosco.
    The lions, one red, one yellow, took up this theme by symbolising the power of good over evil.  The two creatures entered from either side of the auditorium as two young lions sent by the ancestors in search of happiness. They set out on an adventuredown the aisles and through the seats. At one point they lay down, rested (looking for happiness, in the traditional story). Then they decide to return to their 'palace' (the stage) where they approached the 'altar' and the house of their 'father'.  At this point the lions rolled out two scrolls written in Chinese characters; from one the words 'Da Mihi Animas' and from the other 'Cetera Tolle', and bowed before the Rector Major as a mark of love and respect.
    A word of congratulations, too, to the Japanese province (whose Provincial, Fr Puppo, was decked out in full Japanese regalia last night): yesterday saw the first profession of two novices, a joyful event at any time but especially this time around, after a four year dearth.
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Title: australasia 2106
Subject and key words: SDB General GC 26 EAO Provinces GIA first professions
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2106