austraLasia #2200


WYD: RM welcomes Salesian young pilgrims at Engadine Mass

SYDNEY: 15th July 2008 -- After Mass and meditation at the Provincial Centre in Ascot Vale, the Rector Major flew to Sydney, arriving the day after the Holy Father.  As his hosts waited for Fr Wong to exit from the aircraft, a young woman from Birmingham called out, to the surprise of all: "There is the successor of Don Bosco!" This may happen often in Italy - but never in Australia. She is a WYD pilgrim who has visited Savio House in Bollington UK, and who will be there next year as a volunteer. She was overwhelmed to see the Rector Major and she now has a photo to recall the event. Maybe WYD is over for her!
    The major event at Engadine, Sydney, was a welcoming Mass for all the WYD pilgrims associated with this Salesian Centre. Over a thousand young people gathered for the Mass celebrated by the Parish Priest of St John Bosco Parish, Engadine, Fr Michael Court, accompanied by the wonderful parish youth choir. It was a spectacular event, marked by much joy, music, silence, prayer, and a wonderful meditation on the essential characteristics of being a 'pilgrim' by Fr Court. Michael is an internationally recognised magician, and used a beautiful trick with two different coloured pieces of rope to first join them, and then to make them enlarge into one...even in colour. Don't ask how he did that!
    The evening finished with a sumptuous Australian BBQ and all the various national groups danced, sang, and shared the affection generated by the common vocation as Salesians and believers in Jesus Christ  
    The Rector Major spoke at the Mass, summoning them to use WYD as the beginning of a radical change of heart that will never end. He also blessed medals of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians, that were later distributed to all present at the BBQ. He then moved easily among the hundreds of young people, chatting to them all, photographed by them all, before retiring for the night in the Salesian residence.
    The Salesian Sydney days, leading into the Papal presence among the young, has begun with faith, unity and great sense of joy.
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Title: australasia 2200
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces AUL WYD
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2200