austraLasia 2203


50 years Salesians!
Br. Donnie Duchin E. Duya SDB


MANILA: 18th July 2008 -- By virtue of being the first Filipino Salesians, Bishop Leo Drona and Fr. Remo Bati hold a special place in the history of the Salesian congregation in the Philippines. This year, they added another feather in their cap: they mark their 50th year in the Congregation.
    On June 28, in a solemn Mass which gathered all four Filipino Salesian bishops, more than 60 priests and brothers and a throng of members of the Salesian family, our golden jubilarians led the congregation in thanking God not only for calling them, but more importantly for sustaining them. The Mass was held at the Chapel of the Resurrected Christ at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati.
    For someone who has been "formally inducted" into the same Congregation just three months ago, the experience of celebrating the occasion with them was more than a soap opera that melted my heart; it edified me in so many ways. The Tagalogs put it best: Papunta pa lang ako, pabalik na sila! They are already in the 50th year of their Salesian life. I am just starting.
    What particularly struck me was when Fr. Bati knelt down after the homily, and in front of the Congregation represented there, uttered once more the formula he first professed 50 years ago. This formula was the very formula I professed three months ago. As he was reciting it, each word became so magically meaningful. The formula of profession has, as it were, became so alive! The Salesian in me is both edified and challenged by such faithfulness and self offering!
    Our golden jubilarians made the call "Return to Don Bosco," closer to home as they provided a Filipino touch to the world-wide challenge addressed to the members of the Salesian family in nurturing our heritage.
    Over the past 50 years, our jubilarians have worn so many hats, gained so many accomplishments, been to so many places - both literally and metaphorically, but I guess, the real meaning of reaching such a milestone is their authentic witness of faithfulness to the life and mission they professed.
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Title: australasia 2203
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces FIN Golden Jubilee
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2203