4015(II)_Welcome to Timor Leste!

East Asia-Oceania Regional Congress of Salesian Family Past Pupils 2017

May 26, 2016

By Fr. Manuel Pinto, SDB
Provincial delegate to the Don Bosco Alumni

Dili, Timor Leste, 26 May 2016 -- Welcome to Timor Leste! Probably the highest density of Don Bosco Past Pupils per general population in our region can be find in Macau (PRC) and in Timor Leste (RDTL). In East Timor especially due to 70 years of highly committed ministry of many Salesians during very challenging times especially before the independence of the country in 2002. Yes, Don Bosco means a lot for the whole young nation, the attachment to our Saint was expressed in March 2011 during the pilgrimage of the Don Bosco relics in Timor.

Don Bosco's advice: "Remain united and help one another" acts as an inspiration also today. During incoming Asia-Oceania Congress the East Timor organizers (Mr. Agostinho dos Santos Gonçalves, President of Past Pupils Dom Bosco of Timor-Leste) would like to welcome fellow Don Bosco Alumni from all EAO countries. The presence of the recently elected World President Mr. Michal Hort and other World Council members will be a boost for animation and development of the Alumni as well for their belonging to the Salesian Family.

Even if you are not able to come to Dili (October 4-8, 2016), this event could be a good opportunity for the growth and animation of the Salesian Family Past Pupils in each EAO country. The recently approved Statutes (ed. 2015) and Pray-Promise of the DB Alumni (Boscolink) are available for this goal.

The Theme of XI Congress Past Pupils of Salesian Family, is “Serving God through our fellows by promoting education, economic solidarity and social justice”. The whole 5 days event would like to help of Salesian Family Alumni in Asia and Oceania to be more actively involved in the mission for the young people with the education received during in some Salesian settings.

On the Boscolink is available interview with Fr. Pinto (October 2016) as well the Program - Goals (Organizing Committee Timor Leste)

PRAYER AND PROMISE of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco

GOD, OUR FATHER, THROUGH THE MEDIATION OF YOUR SON, JESUS, AND THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO give heed to the prayers of the Past Pupils all over the world.

WE THANK YOU for the invaluable gift of education which we have received, under the enlightened guidance of the Salesians, which have instilled our lives with the Salesian Spirituality.

WE ASK YOU WITH FAMILIAL TRUST - Give us strength and courage to live the human and Christian message, in the Society and in the Church. - Encourage us to become "good Christians and honest citizens”, - Help us to live together and promote solidarity in our Association and beyond it. - Strengthen our faith, hope and charity.

WE PROMISE YOU - to fight against injustice, blackmail, superficiality, indifference, - and to defend at all costs, the values inspired from Don Bosco’s teaching, especially life, freedom and truth with a spirit of social, political and financial commitment, - and to be, “the salt of the earth and light of the world” with a strong influence in the world and in the Church.

WE BEG YOU to watch over our Salesian Family, our dear ones and all of us.

Amen

(DB Past Pupils Confederation Statutes art. 5b)