3995_140th Birthday of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators (1876-2016)
May 8, 2016
By Mr. Philip Yu, ASC
World Councilor for the EAO region
ASC, 8 May 2016 - Dear Salesian Cooperators and dear Salesian Family members! The 9th of May 1876 was Ascension Sunday and the Salesian Family received a wonderful gift – the first Regulation of the Salesian Cooperators approved by the Holy See. This is the Birthday of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators (ASC)!
Our Father and Founder with a happy intuition understood the importance of the lay people within the Catholic Church. Don Bosco was dreaming about many men and women of good will, who would contribute to the salvation of the youngsters. His dream was about thousands of lay people who would bring his life style and his preventive system spirituality into the civil society and the Catholic church community in order to be credible witnesses of Jesus Christ.
The creativity of Don Bosco marked the Cooperators style for the origins – there were teachers, sports coaches, artists of drama and music, catechists or mothers of numerous families who supported him with their handicrafts. They were from the beginning of our Association true points of reference for the young people in their parishes and invited also many diocesan priests and bishops to join the large Cooperators movement. When Don Bosco went to heaven, there were already more than 80.000 of them all around European and Latin American countries.
During these 140 years the Salesian Cooperators were always faithful to the Regulation of Don Bosco, although it was updated according the current Magisterium of the Church and needs of the times.
Today we give thanks for many holy Salesian Cooperators from Venerable Mamma Margaret, Venerable Attilio Giordani, Blessed Alessandrina da Costa and many other models for our members.
Today we give thanks for our vocation, for all Salesian Cooperators who are living today the way of holiness traced in the Project of Apostolic Life (PAL).
On this occasion we are happy to share the fruits of the recent meeting of the World Council of the Salesian Cooperators AustraLasia 3909 - the Commentary to the PAL, Guidelines of Formation and Leadership Guidelines.
On this occasion we are happy to share also the new website link of the World Council ASC in 6 languages: http://www.asscc-mondiale.org/webSite/?p=1418.
For the EAO Salesian Cooperators this year is marked by two important events our growth:
I’m sure you have your way to celebrate the Association’s birthday, in memory of the founding by Don Bosco. May I suggest that we have one common intention for your celebration Eucharist or prayer or party or whatever? Please, pray for the preparation of this coming regional congress in Japan, particularly with a good will “... for the Young” in our mind.
Mr. Philip Yu, ASCan of Don Bosco, as the first Salesian Brother of Cambodia. I hope and pray that I am able to continue my Salesian vocation until the end of my life.
