austraLasia #1815

The meaning of 'Salesian Family' - RM develops the theme in Asian context

HO CHI MINH CITY: 14th April 2007 -- In a tightly packed run of events, the Rector Major Fr Pascual Chávez, continued to develop a theme he has often returned to in recent times - the nature of the Salesian Family as an apostolic movement under Don Bosco's charism.  In the morning at Tam Hai, a Salesian praish near the provincial house in HCM, he met with Salesian Cooperators, past pupils and a number of parents of confreres, as well as many representatives of the parish itself.
    "The Salesian Family", he said, "is a movement of spirituality and apostolate, comprising Salesians SDB, Salesian Sisters, and lay people who commit themselves to the salvation of the young in need and employ the preventive system of education in order to do so". There were questions about the role of non-Catholic and indeed non-Christians who are active members of Salesian works in Vietnam.  The Rector Major indicated that they, especially the non-Christians, can be termed 'Friends of Don Bosco', yet, he indicated that the matter still needs reflection especially in the Asian context where Catholics are in the minority.
    By the afternoon it was the preventive system in action as two and a half thousand young people came in to honour the presence of the Rector Major.  They came from Salesian parishes and communities, but also from other parishes and groups where Salesians are involved.  The Rector Major delivered his message by way of the technique he now regularly uses for these events - response to questions, most of which were prepared earlier by a group of the young people themselves.  It was fundamentally a message of joy, hope and happiness.  This event was followed by a Mass concelebrated by some 50 priests. At the end of the Mass a welcome was extended to the Cardinal Archbishop of HCM diocese, Cardinal John Baptist Pham Minh Mân.  Before him, and with the offer of a medal of Don Bosco, the Rector Major renewed the commitment of the Salesians to serve the Church.
    The day concluded with a celebration of religious and cultural items presenting the Beatitudes for the young, and the victory of a culture of life of one of death.  The Rector Major concluded the day's events with the Good Night in which he asked the young people present to bring a message of joy, happiness, life and love to Vietnamese society.
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