austraLasia #1855

Many reasons for festivity on 24th May in EAO

EAO: 24th May 2007 --  The East Asia-Oceania Region has many good reasons for celebrating on 24th May.  Naturally, Salesian communities from Darkhan, furthest point north in the Region (I think? Correct me if not) to Hobart, Tasmania, in the south (of that I am certain), are today celebrating the traditional Salesian Feast day of the Help of Christians.  But some parts of the region have additional reasons for this celebration as well.
    Australia was placed under the patronage of Mary as Help of Christians, by a decision of the Episcopal Conference of the fledgling Church there in 1844. At that point British settlement had just completed fifty or so years, the transportation of convicts was coming to an end, the first elections ever held in the country were held in 1843, and major issues to do with land, immigration and education had begun to surface.  Rome confirmed the bishops' request for the patronage of Mary under the title of Help of Christians in 1852. She is also patroness of New Zealand, though there are no Salesian communities there.  So happy Feast day to Australia!
    Interestingly enough, due to a trick of the Lunar Calendar, most countries in East Asia, at least those strongly involved with Buddhism, are celebrating a holiday on 24th May 2007 - for Buddha's birthday. It is a happy coincidence for Salesians in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, and perhaps others, especially where many of their pupils or young people confided to their care in one or other setting are Buddhist and/or will be celebrating a national feast day on that score.  So happy Feast day to all those countries too!
    The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue has thought to send a message to Buddhists on the occasion. Cardinal Poupard does not mention the coincidence we have been speaking of here. Instead, wishing Buddhist communities a happy feast day in their own right, he refers to themes that preoccupy Catholics and Buddhists in many parts of our region - themes such as the dignity of the human being, education for peace, and the media's power to shape young minds.
    Happy feast day all round!
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