5407_June 24, 2020 - Interview with the World President of Don Bosco Past Pupils

Celebrate with your family and Renew your commitment!

June 24, 2020

From Newsflash
Quarterly newsletter of the World Confederation)
Past Pupils of Don Bosco

Rome, 24 June 2020 -- Wishing the Past pupils of Don Bosco a happy 150th birthday, we note their 'Newsflash' no. 38 (June 24, 2020) - quarterly magazine with many inspiring articles from the Rector Major, the World president, the old (Fr Raphael Jayapalan) and new (Br. Dominic Nam) World delegates - all in 5 languages available on the central website. We report here two of the 7 questions addressed by Mr Michal Hort on the occasion of the 150th Jubilee Year (June 2020-June 2021):

What is the current situation of the World Confederation?

'I would use the word “constantly growing”; as you may remember, our biggest challenge in 2015 was to get in touch not only with those 100,000 registered past pupils, but with past pupils and friends of Don Bosco all over the world. Now, after 5 years I can say it’s a tough one. Having in mind and heart millions of past pupils that passed thorough the hands of more than 14,000 Salesians in more than 3,000 schools and another 4,000 works globally is one thing, but to get them organized is another one.

But we are working. Constantly. With help of Don Bosco, with our team, with the help of the Salesian Family; everyday more and more past pupils and friends of Don Bosco are discovering and deepening their identity by serving others. By using their skills, talents and professional capability in their local communities and life situations every day. Because that’s what don Bosco meant when he said to help each other. And that’s what is written in our Promise-prayer and should be day by day reality for us. Or better – our plan of life.'. In these years of the Presidency, among the many realities you have encountered, which has remained in your heart 'All of them; all… each for different reason; “Old” Europe for strong history, rich activities and real influence in the economic and political society and tradition but also for struggles to speak to youngsters; “New” Europe for its incredible energy with no limits but without system and processes to be sustainable; Africa for the natural approach to help the poorest and freedom of life but struggling for the basic instruments and communication; Asia for its incredible growth, energy and capabilities but with no influence over the borders of the region; and Latin America for the well spread knowledge of Don Bosco and Past Pupils in everyday life with joy, but lacking the possibilities to enforce the structures and functioning system; That’s what remained in my mind and what the world presidency should target and balance. Especially through initiatives like “best practices” sharing through our global website, magazine and network of owned media. By discovering the differences inspiring the improvement». ......

What about your last personal sharing?

'The most important message to give, most important words to say - are always the same: Be good Christians and upright citizens. Explanation: Use talents that God gave us, the education we received by Don Bosco and skills and capabilities of our professional lives to serve. To serve to other past pupils, to the Salesian family and the community we live in. This means to be the Past pupil of Don Bosco. To search for holiness in our everyday lives, in our families, in our jobs… in our professional, personal and pastoral life.'