austraLasia #2590

(on the road)

Taize 'Pilgrimage of Trust', Asia, at DBTI Makati

MANILA: 4th February 2010 -- Some 3,500 young people, maby but not all from Asia, are gathered in Manila over these days (3-7 Feb) for the Taize initiated Pilgrimage of Trust. The main prayer venue every evening is the Don Bosco Technical Institute Gymnaisum.  There are other venues in Mania for other events.

Around 500 participants are from other parts of Asia, 200 from Europe, America, while the remainder are from the Philippines, including some Muslims from Mindanao who came to pray together.

In the brief period before the main pilgrimage events, youth from other countries were billeted with Filipino families around the country and during the event with Manila families. Our Salesian parish is part of this process and has hosted a number of East Timor Salesian students.

The Taise Prior, Bro Alois, who is a German-born Catholic but holds French nationality, along with a number of the Taize Brothers, are hosted at DBTI itself.  There are on hundred plus Brothers of Taize around the world; a good number of them are in Manila for the event.  Many Salesians - the number is estimated at around 80 plus 50 aspirants and prenovices, and all young Salesians in formation - are taking part as well. Salesian Youth Ministry delegate, Brother Mon Callo is on the central organising committee for the event. Indeed, the formation houses have interrupted their programmes for the week to be present and pray with young people from all around the world.

In a personal interview in the DBTI courtyard, Bro Alois indicaqted that he knew many Salesians around the world, and is hoping to meet the Rector Major when he (Aloisio) visits Rome in March. He haas recently received invitations from two Salesian Bishops in Europe.  Bro Alois recalled a visit to Haiti, City-Soleil and the Slaesian parish there, when he visited Haiti with the revered Founder of Taize, Brother Roger.

On this occasion Brother Alois celebrated the Feast of Don Bosco at DBTI together with the preparatory team and DBTI Youth. He was deeply impressed, he said, by the way the students feel that Don Bosco loves them.  When asked what he thought of the Salesian Project Europe, Bro. Alois commented that young people in Europe are often 'lost', looking for meaning and that marginalised youth need a Salesian education.

Bro. Alois leaves on Sunday for Vietnam.