EAO Region, 10 August 2021 -- In the Southern Hemisphere the Salesian Family for obvious reasons (summer holidays and school vacations in January) celebrates the 'Don Bosco Month' usually in August. Not only in PGS Viceprovince (PNG and Solomon Islands) or AUL province (Australia, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand) but also some 20-30 provinces around Southern Africa and South America.

So in the first half of August we find inspiring the recent consideration of Fr Francis Gustilo (FIN) after the first session of starting the second 3 year cycle of the 'Salesianity course' (now online) on 6 August 2021:

"We hope to continue the Salesianity program till 2023 as a way of preparing the EAO region for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first dream of Don Bosco (1825-2025).

I've always felt that beyond the BICENTENNIAL OF DON BOSCO'S BIRTH we need to GIVE EMPHASIS ON THE PURPOSE WHY GOD CHOSE HIM TO BE BORN.

All of us need God, without doubt. But I came to realize that God also needs us. Otherwise, why should He create us? HE HAS PURPOSE FOR SHARING HIS LIFE WITH US - of course, not only to have an opportunity to share His life in eternity but also to a LIFE-GIVING AGENT of His in this life.

GOD NEEDED JOHN BOSCO. His purpose has been set out in the DREAM OF NINE YEARS OLD (that's spirit by which he wrote the MEMOIRS OF THE ORATORY not simply by beginning with his birth as a premise, but above all by INTERPRETING THAT THE ORATORY WAS ALREADY BORN IN THAT DREAM.

If we do not emphasis the importance of this dream (as we are given the chance to celebrate its 200th anniversary). Why are the JESUITS celebrating the 500th anniversary of IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA'S WOUNDED LEG? Then we lose a great opportunity to CHECK WHAT MOTIVATES (Passion) OUR CONFRERES IN BEING SALESIAN (Vision) AND IN DOING WHAT IS REALLY SALESIAN (Mission) . Beyond the Vision-Mission statement is WHY WE'RE LIVING THIS WAY AND WHY WE ARE EDUCATING AND EVANGELIZING AS WE DO."

Indeed, this year of 2021 is remembered also:

An 'Ignatian Year', since May 20, 2021 marks the 500th anniversary of the beginning of St. Ignatius' enormous change of life — that fateful day when Ignatius the soldier, struck by a cannonball, began his transformation into Ignatius the pilgrim. Jesuits (SJ, The Society of Jesus) worldwide launched the renewal year with a theme “PUTTING CHRIST IN THE CENTRE”.

800th anniversary of Secular Franciscans Order foundation

Probably the largest third order around the Catholic Church, in the past called the 'Third Franciscan Order', after the Vatican II called 'Secular Franciscans' celebrates in 2021 their 800th foundation year.

800 years of the Dominican Order (OP) Founder St Dominic death

St Dominic de Guzman, who died in Bologna on 6 August, 1221 launched the mission of “preaching the Gospel for the salvation of souls".

How are you celebrating 'Don Bosco Month' in 2021?