austraLasia #1807

Good morning Vietnam - from the RM

HO CHI MINH CITY: 9th April 2007 --  The Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez, arrived at Tan Son Nhat airport HCM, after leaving on Easter Sunday  from Rome where he had earlier celebrated the Easter Vigil Mass with the community. Tired, but happy to be in Vietnam at this particularly joyful season of the year, he was met by the Provincial and representatives of a number of groups of the Salesian Family in Vietnam, SDBs, FMAs, Cooperators, VDBs, Past Pupils.
    Towards evening he was officially welcomed to Xuan Hiep (Provincial House and Rinaldi Theologate).  The House had barely 'recovered' from an enormous crowd of worhsippers for the Easter events - as many as 6,000 people turned up.  The chapel is built to hold a maximum of 500, so liturgical events were held outdoors on the theologate football field. Fr Chávez indicated his great pleasure and sense of privilege in being amongst the Vietnamese confreres, whom he described as 'unique in the Congregation' and a very meaningful Salesian presence. He reminded them that as well as bringing the smile of DOn Bosco into their midst, he was there to reawaken in their hearts the passion of the Da Mihi Animas. He linked this to the special moments of Easter, source of  the Church, of Consecrated Life - the Paschal Mystery itself.
    Tomorrow the Rector Major will visit Ba Thon novitiate where he will meet up with 30 novices and 21 prenovices.  Later in the week he is expected to also meet a large crowd of youngsters belonging to the Salesian Youth Movement.  It is expected that Bishop Peter De will also be able to be present at some time during the visit.
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