4924(II)_Laos - Visit from Fr Guillermo Basañes

November 20, 2018

By THA SC

Vientiane, Laos, 19 November 2018 -- Fr Guillermo Basañes, the General Councillor for the Missions, paid a short visit to Don Bosco Youth Vocational Centre in Vientiane, Laos, from November 17-19, 2018.

After his arrival, he gave an opening talk to the Salesian community, on the occasion of the monthly recollection. On the following day, Sunday, Fr Guillermo presided at the English Mass for the international community at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the only Catholic church in Vientiane. He also paid a short, informal but warm courtesy visit to Card. Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, Bishop of Vientiane.

After lunch, he went to see Thaad Luang Pagoda, which is the largest and most famous pagoda in Laos. On the way back to Don Bosco Centre, he also visited the Garment Centre run by the Salesian Sisters (FMA).

At the end of the Monday morning community Mass, Fr Guillermo gave to each of the four confreres the new cross which the Rector Major gives in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin exclusively to missionaries of the missionary expeditions. His talks to the boarders and to all the students and teachers were inspiring and an invitation to share with others not only their technical skills but especially the good education and the many spiritual values Don Bosco has given them during their stay at the Centre.

We thank Fr Guillermo for the visit and hope to welcome him again in the future.

AustraLasia readers can follow the details of the visit on the Facebook pages of THA SDB province (https://www.facebook.com/SalesianThailand).