ULAAN BAATAR: 11th February -- The headline 'Every new book
is
a new Salesian' is apparently inspiring, so thank you, Tony!
That was just two days ago. Since then we have received a note from
Cambodia: "Thank you Fr, this is very inspiring for me because I
have some works to publish...", a comment from Australia:
"Your email reminded me that I may not have mentioned my latest
book...." (we will, we will, just give us the info), a news item
from Mongolia (more of which is below), a 'permission' from the
Philippines to place 50 fascinating testimonies of migrant ministry
online in SDL (this one deserves a news item of its own over the next
day
or two), a 36 page article in Spanish from Madrid, 'encuesta sobre
el
libro digital' on the impact of digital publishing on publishers
today, a desperate note from Jerusalem on a just-published tome (by
Lulu.com) that has not in fact arrived on time as it should have, but
contains at least one article from our Region, and a letter from an
Australian Printer/Publisher wanting to know about some possibilities
for
translation and publishing of some of Cardinal Martini's books (hardly
our role but the interest is there).
In other words, a minor avalanche of material in
just
two days that demonstrates that something is alive and kicking at the
heart of the Salesian charism, including in our part of the
world.
Now, back to Mongolia.....
"This evening, our Salesian Cooperator, Mary
Odbileg, picked up the first printed production of substantial
Salesianity in Mongolian (Don Bosco by Teresio Bosco). We
printed
just 200 copies.
This work has been a long time in the making. The
first draft translation was done by an elderly lady who used the
Russian
version of the book. She even chose "Margarita" as her
baptismal name when she completed her catechumenate. The second, more
lengthy task of editing was done by our Salesian Cooperators with more
emphasis on Salesian terminology and context to make it understandable
for our Mongolian readers after comparing it with the English version.
The final redaction was done by a friend of Mary's who runs a printing
press. It is this same lady who said with much pride while delivering
the
books to Mary, "I too am now a Salesian (Cooperator) of Don Bosco.
Its a wonderful book; it impresses me."
...I just imagine how many more people would not
only
be impressed but would even be prompted to "transform" their
lives after reading the life of a man, whose simple and dedicated life
was a great gift of God to his children then, is now and will be in
years
to come. What a substantial way to begin the 10th anniversary of the
Salesian presence in this Central Asian nation - 'The Life and Times of
Don Bosco', by Teresio Bosco in the Mongolian Vernacular!
Little by little we are consolidating the spread of
the gospel by spreading the lives of the saints... and at the top is
our
dearest Don Bosco.
To Mrs. Margarita Tumenchimeg, Mrs. Mary Odbileg,
Ms.
Justine Marie Bayarjargal, Mrs. Marie Francesca Hongorzul, Mrs.
Michelle
Enkhtuul, and to Fr. Vaclav who insisted that we focus on more
substantial Salesian Books like Teresio Bosco's; to Fr. Them and to Fr.
Provincial and Fr. Regional for your encouragement and blessings, and
to
our humble benefactors.... Bayarhurgie! bas Mash ikh ikh Bayarlalaa
shuu!
(Congratulations and Thank you very very much!).
PS: the cover for the new Mongolian production will be recognisable to
many - it is the one which has appeared on 'Salesians 2010' and also
happens to be the product of the EAO Region. Bro. Hilario Seo spent
many
hours melding an original photo of DB and boys with photos from Africa,
Asia, South Amercia and other continents to give it a global touch.
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