Hajja Salesjana MEJJU-ÌUNJU 2011il-220 Óar©a
You Reap what you sow
Feast of Don Bosco in Tornoto
The final salute to Fr Marek Rybinski
The Logo of the Salesians of Don Bosco is made up of two superimposed images: in
the background a stylised “S” (Salesians) in white marked to the right and left by two
cuttings between the hills (a road). The second image is in the centre of the globe: an
arrow pointing upwards resting on three perpendicular legs on top of which are three
closed circles making a stylised image of three people: the first of these in the midde
and taller (the Salesian) appears as if embracing the side figures (the young). The three
stylised figures can also be viewed as an arrow pointing upwards (education / formation)
or simply as a dwelling (Salesian house) with three pillars holding it up (reason, religion,
loving kindness).
The coat of arms of the Salesian Congregation shows the shining star, the large anchor,
the heart on fire symbolizing faith, hope and charity; the figure of St. Francis de Sales
recalling the Patron of the Society; the small wood in the lower part reminds us of the
Founder (Bosco) the high mountains signify the heights of perfection towards which
members strive; the interwoven palm and laurel that enfold the shield either side are
emblematic of the prize reserved for a sacrificial and virtuous life. The motto Da mihi
animas, caetera tolle (give me souls, take the rest) expresses every Salesian’s ideal.
Óajja Salesjana
St. Patrick’s School, Triq San Ìwann Bosco,
Sliema SLM 1925 – MALTA
Tel. (+356) 2133 0238 / (+00356) 9986 1586
e-mail: hajjasal@salesiansmalta.org
Il-Bulettin Salesjan, imsejja˙ b’diversi ismijiet, ji©i
stampat f’56 edizzjoni u f’ 29 ilsien madwar id-
dinja u huwa mxerred fi 131 nazzjon
Responsible: Fr. Paul Formosa SDB
Director/ Editor: Fr. Joseph Cini SDB
Editorial Board : Margaret Buhagiar,
Andre Camilleri, Matthew Borg, Josie Grech.
Office: Eileen Alden, Joyce Scicluna.
Design & Printing: Salesian Press, Sliema.
Tista taqra ˙ajja Salesjana fuq il-kompjuter:
http://www.salesiansmalta.org
Fuqiex se naqraw
Front Cover: Sensiela ta’ xbihat tal-Madonna.
Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla 9
Don Bosco Around the World 12
You Reap what you sow 14
Magnificat 16
Malta Salesjana 20
Saint Mary Mazzarello (3) 22
20 km trekking f’G˙awdex 25
Past Pupils ta’ Savio College 26
Feast of Don Bosco in Tornoto 27
The final salute to Fr Marek Rybinski 28
Dun Bosco fis-santi 30
Salesian statistics 2010 33
Editorjal / Pedago©ija / Caledar of events /
Something to think about / Marian Apparitions
3Hajja Salesjana
EDITORJAL
Ebda qaddis qatt ma kellu daqshekk
pubbliçità. Is-suççess li nkuruna x-xog˙lijiet
kura©©uΩi tieg˙u kompla jsa˙˙a˙ fl-im˙u˙ ta’
xi w˙ud min-nies, li kien qaddis kbir u, skond
o˙rajn, bniedem kbir. Dun Bosco nnifsu ma
kienx joqg˙od lura milli jxandar l-opri tieg˙u
meta kien ifittex u jittallab g˙ajnuna; dan kien
jag˙mlu permezz ta’ ittri stampati b’diversi
ilsna lil nies ta’ kull xorta u f’kull pajjiΩ. Kien
idoqq it-tanbur! Xi nies skandalizzaw ru˙hom,
imma kienu dawk ta’ mo˙˙ Ωg˙ir; u min fil-
bidu ikkritikah, aktarx li g˙amel b˙alu wara!
Ìudizzju miktub minn Dun Cafasso fl-1853,
jiççara çerti fatti lil xi qassisin ta’ wa˙da
mill-iskejjel, li kellhom dubju dwar dak li kien
qieg˙ed jag˙mel Dun Bosco. Dan g˙andu
valur akbar miç-çirkustanzi li g˙alihom kien
mifhum dakinhar. Dun Cafasso kiteb hekk:
<<Kemm tassew tafuh lil Dun Bosco?
Ng˙id g˙alija, iktar ma niflih inqas nasal biex
nifhmu. Jiena narah, fl-istess waqt, sempliçi
u straordinarju, umli u kbir, fqir imma jid˙ol
g˙al pro©etti kbar li jidhru impossibli. Rajtu
j˙abbat wiççu ma’ ostakli u sitwazzjonijiet
impossibli sabiex imbag˙ad jirnexxi b’mod
meraviljuΩ f’dak kollu li jid˙ol g˙alih. G˙alija
Dun Bosco huwa misteru! Imma minn ˙a©a
jiena çert: li huwa ja˙dem g˙all-glorja ta’ Alla,
u li Alla jmexxih u li Alla wa˙du huwa l-motiv
ta’ kull ma jag˙mel.>>
Charles Cini, SDB
Dun Bosco Bniedem ta’ Alla
GÓALIJA DUN BOSCO HUWA MISTERU!
IMMA MINN ÓAÌA JIENA ÇERT: LI HUWA
JAÓDEM GÓALL-GLORJA TA’ ALLA, U LI
ALLA JMEXXIH U LI ALLA WAÓDU HUWA
L-MOTIV TA’ KULL MA JAGÓMEL.
Fil-perjodu tal-Istorja li twaqqfu fondazzjonijiet kbar, isem Dun Bosco
sar mag˙ruf mad-dinja Kattolika kollha. Gazzetti ta’ diversi opinjonijiet,
perjodiçi, ritratti wisq imfittxija, ta˙didiet u kull mezz ta’ komunikazzjoni
ta’ dawk iΩ-Ωminijiet bi ˙©arhom xerrdu a˙barijiet fuq l-opri ta’ Dun Bosco.
4 Hajja Salesjana
EDITORIAL
Lectures and other means of communication
vied with one another in spreading news of
his work. No other apostle had ever had so
much publicity.
The success which crowned his arduous
enterprises, continued to confirm in people’s
minds the opinion that he was, a great saint
and to others, a great man. Moreover, he
himself, in appealing for funds, spread news
of his mission to the four winds, by means
of circular letters in various languages to
people of every kind and every nation. Silent
modesty was not part of his approach! Some
were scandalized but it was the scandal of the
small-minded; his critics often felt compelled
to imitate him.
We have a statement made by Don Cafasso
in 1853 to clarify things for some learned
clerics who had some doubts with regard to
Don Bosco. Its value goes far beyond the
petty scope for which it was first given. In it
Don Cafasso said:
“How well do you know Don Bosco? For me,
the more I study him, the less I understand him.
I see him as both simple and extraordinary,
humble and great, poor and yet undertaking
huge projects that seem impossible. I have
seen obstacles in his way and his situation
impossible, and yet he succeeds splendidly in
whatever he undertakes. For me, Don Bosco
is a mystery! I am certain, however, that he is
working for the glory of God, that God alone is
his guide and that God alone is the motive for
all his actions.”
Charles Cini, SDB
Don Bosco With God
During the period of great foundations Don Bosco’s name gradually
came to be known throughout the whole world. Newspapers with various
points of view, illustrated booklets, and photographs were spread widely
because they were much sought after.
FOR ME, DON BOSCO IS A MYSTERY! I AM CERTAIN,
HOWEVER, THAT HE IS WORKING FOR THE GLORY OF
GOD, THAT GOD ALONE IS HIS GUIDE AND THAT GOD
ALONE IS THE MOTIVE FOR ALL HIS ACTIONS.”
5Hajja Salesjana
PEDAGOÌIJASalesjana
Minn Pascual Chavez – Trad. Joe Cini
Kummenti fuq li Strenna 2011 : Ejjew u Taraw
“IL-ÓAJJA HIJA VOKAZZJONI”
G˙eΩieΩ ˙bieb, qarrejja tal-Bullettin Salesjan.
Hekk kif matul is-sena li g˙addiet kellimtkom
fuq Ìesù tieg˙i, din is-sena sejjer nikteb fuq Il-
˙ajja b˙ala vokazzjoni. U bi ˙siebni niktbilkom
dwar persuna©©i li b˙ala bnedmin u nsara
g˙exu l-˙ajja bis-s˙i˙ g˙aliex skoprew u
g˙exu l-vokazzjoni tag˙hom.
IL-BEATU AUGUSTU CZARTORYSKI
(1858-1893)
IΩ-Ωag˙Ωug˙ g˙ani li qal ‘iva’ lil Ìesù
Il-vokazzjoni ta’ Prinçep li sar Salesjan
It-twelid ta’ Augustu f’Pari©i nhar it-2 ta’
Awwissu 1858, l-ewwel tarbija ta’ familja
nobbli u illustri Pollakka, kien sinjal ta’ tama:
dan kellu jie˙u t-tron ta’ San KaΩimiru u fuqu
waqg˙u wkoll it-tamiet kollha ta’ dawk li
kienu jo˙olmu qawmien ©did g˙all-Polonja.
6 Hajja Salesjana
Imma Alla kellu pjanijiet o˙ra. DaΩ-Ωag˙Ωug˙,
marradi bit-tuberkolosi mit-tfulija, minflok
postijiet fejn seta’ jfiq, g˙amel tfittxija
o˙ra: dik tal-vokazzjoni. Induna li ma kienx
mag˙mul g˙all-˙ajja fil-palazzi : ‘Ikolli nistqarr
li din iddejjaqni ; dan il-passatemp isewwidli
qalbi.’ L-g˙alliem tieg˙u, Joseph Kalinowski,
issa qaddis Karmelitan, mexxa lil Augustu fit-
tfittxija tal-vokazzjoni billi ssu©©erilu b˙ala
mudelli l-qaddis San Lwi©i GonΩaga, ‘li feta˙lu
˙ajtu g˙al g˙aqda spiritwali e˙fef ma’ Alla’ u
tal-Pollakk San Satanislaws Kostka, li tieg˙u
Augustu ˙a l-kliem Ad maiora natus sum.
Il-mument deçiΩiv fit-tfittxija tieg˙u u
f’˙ajtu kienet il-laqg˙a ma’ Dun Bosco, li
©rat f’Pari©i f’Mejju 1883. ‘Ili ˙afna nixtieq
niltaqa’ mieg˙ek!’ qallu Dun Bosco. Minn dak
inhar Augustu ra f’dan l-edukatur qaddis il-
missier tar-ru˙ tieg˙u u l-gwida lejn il-©ejjieni
tieg˙u. Wara din il-laqg˙a ma’ Dun Bosco,
mhux biss ˙assu jissa˙˙a˙ fil-vokazzjoni lejn
˙ajja reli©juΩa, imma ˙assu konvint li kien
imsejja˙ isir Salesjan : ‘Jekk dan hu li Alla
jrid, kollox jirnexxi; Huwa jne˙˙i kull ostaklu.
Imma jekk Alla ma jridx dan, anqas ma rridu
jiena.’ Min˙abba fil-poΩizzjoni soçjali u l-istat
ta’ sa˙˙et Augustu, Dun Bosco kien Ωamm
attitudni kawta u riçervata qabel ma aççettah
fil-Kongregazzjoni. Kien il-Papa personalment,
Ljuni XIII, li ne˙˙ielu kull dubju : ‘Mur g˙id
lil Dun Bosco li l-Papa jixtiequ jaççettak fost
is-Salesjani.’ U Dun Bosco wie©bu minnufih,
‘Jiena naççettak bil-qalb. Minn issa ‘l quddiem
inti membru tas-Soçjetà Salesjana tag˙na, u
tibqa’ fiha sakemm tmut.’
Qrib l-a˙˙ar ta’ Ìunju 1887, wara li
rrinunzja il-poΩizzjoni tieg˙u favur ˙utu,
telaq g˙an-novizzjat, fejn kellu jadatta ru˙u
g˙al tibdil s˙i˙ ta’ ˙afna modi li kien imdorri
fihom: ˙inijiet strambi, ikel fqir, irqad, ˙ajja
fil-komunità. Kellu wkoll jissara ma’ tentattivi
mill-familjari tieg˙u li ma kinux kuntenti
bl-g˙aΩla tieg˙u; sa˙ansitra missieru mar
jarah u pprova jbiddillu fehmtu. Nhar l-24
ta’ Novembru 1887 g˙amel il-vestizzjoni fil-
BaΩilka ta’ Marija AwΩiljatriçi minn idejn Dun
Bosco. ‘Kura©©, prinçep tieg˙i’, il-qaddis
7Hajja Salesjana
pespes f’widnejn iΩ-Ωag˙Ωug˙. ‘Illum irba˙na
reb˙a mill-isba˙. Imma b’fer˙ kbir nista’
ng˙idlek ukoll li g˙ad jasal il-jum meta ssir
qassis u bir-rieda ta’ Alla ©©ib ˙afna barkiet
fuq pajjiΩek.’
Imma l-marda tieg˙u re©g˙et fe©©et u
niesu re©g˙u pprovaw ibiddlulu fehmtu u
jinsistu li jikkonsulta t-tobba. Kiteb hekk
lill-Kardinal Parocchi li kien mitlub juΩa ‘l
poΩizzjoni tieg˙u biex Augustu jo˙ro© minn
Salesjan, ‘Kienet volontà tieg˙i u bl-akbar
libertà li nie˙u l-voti u dan g˙amiltu b’fer˙ kbir
ta’ qalbi. Mindu qieg˙ed fis-Soçjetà Salesjana
g˙andi paçi kbira u niΩΩi ˙ajr lil Alla li g˙eni
nag˙raf is-Soçjetà Salesjana u li sejja˙li biex
ng˙ix fiha.’
Il-˙ajja ta’ Dun Augustu fis-saçerdozju
bilkemm damet sena. Hekku, kif il-Cardinal
Cagliero, Salesjan, jiddeskrivi dan il-perjodu
qasir ta’ ˙ajtu : ‘Ma kienx aktar ta’ did-dinja!
L-g˙aqda tieg˙u ma’ Alla, l-unjoni perfetta
mar-Rieda Divina waqt il-marda serja tieg˙u,
ix-xewqa li jimita lil Ìesù Kristu fit-tbatijiet u
niket tieg˙U g˙amlu minnu eroj fil-paçenzja,
fil-paçi tar-ru˙ u fli ma jçedix, aktar milli g˙all-
u©ig˙, g˙all-im˙abba ta’ Alla.’ Miet fid-dar
Salesjana ta’ Alassio nhar is-Sibt 8 ta’ April
1893, waqt l-Ottava tal-G˙id il-Kbir, bilqieg˙da
fuq si©©u li kien uΩa Dun Bosco. ‘Xi ©miel ta’
G˙id il-Kbir !’ kien qal nhar it-Tnejn ta’ qabel
lis-Salesjan li kien jie˙u ˙siebu, ming˙ajr ma
basar li dalwaqt kien ser jiççelebrah fis-sema.
‘Kemm hi g˙aΩiΩa d-dar tieg˙ek, Mulej tal-
eΩerçti! Tixxennaq u tinfena ru˙i g˙at-tempju
tal-Mulej...Jum wie˙ed fit-tempju tieg˙ek
a˙jar minn elf jum f’post ie˙or’ (Ps.83/84).
Dawn il-kliem mis-salm, Augustu Czartoryski
kien kitibhom fuq is-santa tal-ewwel quddiesa
tieg˙u. Fihom jintlem˙u l-g˙aΩliet li jridu
jsiru minn min ifittex ir-rieda ta’ Alla u jrid
iwettaqha. Augustu, il-prinçep Ωag˙Ωug˙,
kien g˙araf isib mod kif jifli l-pjanijiet ta’ Alla
g˙alih. Fit-talb kien joffri lil Alla il-problemi
u mistoqsijiet tieg˙u, imbag˙ad, fi spirtu ta’
ubbidjenza kien jimxi fuq il-pariri tal-mexxejja
spiritwali tieg˙u. B’dan il-mod fehem il-
vokazzjoni tieg˙u li jid˙ol g˙al ˙ajja ta’ faqar
sabiex iservi liΩ-Ωg˙ar. Dan l-istess mod g˙enu
matul ˙ajtu sabiex jie˙u deçiΩjonijiet li llum
nistg˙u ng˙idu wettaq fihom il-Pjan Divin
b’mod tal-g˙a©eb.
‘KEMM HI GÓAÛIÛA D-DAR TIEGÓEK, MULEJ
TAL-EÛERÇTI! TIXXENNAQ U TINFENA RUÓI GÓAT-
TEMPJU TAL-MULEJ... JUM WIEÓED FIT-TEMPJU
TIEGÓEK AÓJAR MINN ELF JUM F’POST IEÓOR’
(PS.83/84)
8 Hajja Salesjana
FEASTS & EVENTS
MA
Y
JUN
E
JUL
Y
CALENDAR OF SALESIAN
2011
Read ˙ajja Salesjana on the website: www.salesiansmalta.org
Pictures of Don Bosco set to reflective music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1dVsM9KAbw
Sun 1 Divine Mercy Sunday. Devotions at St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00 p.m.
Past Pupils of St. Patrick’s Committee Meeting
Mon 2 Start of School Term
Wed 4 Sliema Salesian Cooperators monthly meeting at 6.00 p.m.
Fri 6 St. Dominic Savio (a pupil of St. John Bosco). Festivities in Salesian
Schools. First Friday
Sun 8 Car Wash – by Past Pupils, in St. Patrick’s grounds
Tue 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions
Fri 13 St. Mary D Mazzarello (With Don Bosco she founded the Salesian
Sisters=FMA) Celebrations by FMA in Gozo.
21 – 22 Comedy by Atturi Salesjani at Salesian Theatre, Sliema
Sun 22 St. Patrick’s Past Pupils day trip to Gozo
Tue 24 Mary Help of Christians (Principal Patroness of the Salesian
Congregation) Sports Day at St, Patrick’s School; Akkademja at Savio
College. Solemn Mass and Enrollment of Devotees at St. Patrick’s at 6.30 p.m.
Sun 29 Bl. Joseph Kowalski (Polish Martyr in Auschwitz in 1942). Procession of
Mary Help of Christians in Sliema at 6.00 p.m.
Tue 31 Environment Day at St. Patrick’s School
Wed 1 Salesian Cooperators’ monthly meeting. Schools go to 1/
2
day Programme.
Fri 3 First Friday of the Month. Devotions and Mass at St. Patrick’s at 6.15 p.m.
Sun 5 St. Patrick’s Past Pupils Committee Meeting
Fri 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions
Sun 12 Bl. Francis Kety and Companions (Polish Oratory Youths martyred
under the Nazis in 1942).
Thu 16 Start of Annual Exams at Savio College
Sun 19 St. Patrick’s Past Pupils Football Match
Fri 24 Feast of the Rector Major. Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians.
Tue 28 Last day of school. ‘Mnarja Night’ at Savio College and Sliema Oratory.
Wed 29 Imnarja
Thu 7 Bl. Maria Romero Meneses FMA
Sun 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions
Wed 13 Sliema Cooperators’ monthly meeting: outdoor activity.
Mon 25 Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians at St. Patrick’s at 6.30 p.m.
9Hajja Salesjana
The story of this twentieth-century saint began
in Magenta (Milan), Italy, on 4 October 1922 when
Gianna was born, the tenth of the thirteen children
of Alberto and Maria Beretta. Five children died
young, two became priests, one became a nun
and doctor, two more became doctors (including
Gianna), one an engineer and one a pharmacist.
The Beretta family were very devout, praying
together each day. From her earliest childhood
Gianna was very committed to her faith, and as
a schoolgirl joined Catholic Action, as well as
studying, praying, and socializing together. In
the spring of 1938 when she was fifteen, Gianna
attended a retreat organized around the Spiritual
Exercises of Saint Ignatius. In one of her prayers
she wrote: ‘I promise you Jesus, to submit myself
to all that you permit to happen to me. Let
me know your will.’ She also made a series of
resolutions, promising to pray each day, morning
and night, and offering her entire life to God. For
Gianna, prayer was the practical dedication of
every moment to God.
Mother and Martyr
Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla
Everyone remembers the beautiful
dark-haired woman with a strong
honest face, warm smile and cheerful
personality. Gianna Beretta Molla,
a wife, mother and a doctor who
specialized in working with poor
families died on 28th April 1962, at
the age of thirty-nine, after giving
birth to her fourth child which
doctors had advised her to abort.
On 24th April 1994 this child, Gianna
Emanuela, now thirty-two years old,
attended a ceremony at St. Peter’s
Square in Rome, in which her mother
was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
10 Hajja Salesjana
Gianna was a very bright student and after
high school she went to the University of Pavia
where she obtained a medical degree in surgery
with honours. Three years later she earned
an additional degree in paediatrics. During
her college years in Milan and in Pavia, Gianna
always attended daily morning Mass, and prayed
the Rosary after dinner. If she had a spare
moment, she would drop in to church for a quiet
prayer in between classes. After qualifying, she
worked with her brother, Dr. Fernando Beretta,
in the family GP practice. Many of their patients
came from the poorest parts of town and they
often treated people without charge. Gianna
also reflected on her vocation. In 1954, she went
on a pilgrimage to Lourdes with a group of sick
people and prayed regarding what she should
do with her life. Soon afterwards she met Pietro
Molla, an engineer and industrial director of the
Saffa of Milan.
The couple were soon engaged. She told
Pietro: I want a really Christian home, where
God is like one of the family; a little cenaculum
where he can reign in our hearts, enlighten our
decisions and guide our programmes.’ They
were married on 24th September 1955 in St.
Martin’s Basilica in Magenta. Their first child,
Pierluigi, was born in 1956. Maria Zita arrived
in 1957 and Laura was born in 1959. After their
baptism, each child was entrusted to the special
protection of Our Lady of Good Counsel. As well
as running a home and working as a busy doctor,
Gianna found time to help her local church’s St.
Vincent de Paul Society. If one became sick and
was unable to work, she would help them find
a less tiring job. She often gave people money.
Colleagues remember that she was always
very approachable and a good listener. Women
patients particularly used to wait to see her, to
discuss their troubles.
Gianna used to say: ‘One earns Paradise with
one’s daily tasks…I have always been taught
that the secret of happiness is living moment by
moment and to thank God for everything that in
his goodness he sends us, day after day.’
In the summer of 1961, Gianna became
pregnant for the fourth time. She and Pietro
were delighted as they had always wanted a
large family. But two months into the pregnancy
the doctors discovered that she had developed
a painful life-threatening uterine tumour or
fibroma. They were advised that the safest
option for Gianna was to remove the fibroma,
terminating the pregnancy, but leaving open
the possibility of future pregnancies or to
remove the fibroma in such a way that would not
interrupt the pregnancy. But they were warned
this could put Gianna’s life in great danger.
Gianna chose the last option. After the operation
she made a good recovery, went back to work
and the pregnancy continued normally. But she
was always concerned for the baby’s health, and
told the doctor repeatedly: ‘If you must choose
between me and the baby, no hesitation: choose
– and I demand it – the baby; save him!’
Her labour began on Good Friday, 20th April
1962. The medical examination revealed a large,
healthy baby but also a life-threatening septic
peritonitis. She gave birth on 21st April, but then
began to suffer tremendously as the peritonitis
took hold. Gianna was very distressed at the
thought of leaving her children orphaned. She
prayed constantly but refused pain medication,
as she said she did not feel it would be right to
11Hajja Salesjana
appear before the Lord without much suffering.
On 26th and 27th April, Gianna could not receive
Holy Communion because she could not swallow.
Gianna begged that the Sacred Host at least be
placed on her lips. She repeatedly continuously,
‘Jesus I love you.’ Gianna was finally returned
home by ambulance. She died there on Saturday
April 28th 1962 at 8.00 a.m.
On 6th July 1991, Pope John Paul II issued
a decree of Heroicity of Virtue for her, on 21st
December 1992 the decree of the miracle was
proclaimed, and on the 24th April 1994, during
the Year of the Family Pope John Paul II beatified
Gianna Beretta Molla at St. Peter’s Square in
Rome.
Many members of Gianna’s family attended
the ceremony. After greeting the family, during
his homily the Pope said: ‘Blessed Gianna had the
grace of a united family, rich in faith and love... In
the dramatic choice between saving her life and
that of the child which she carried in her womb,
she did not hesitate to sacrifice herself. What a
heroic witness… in violent contrast with a certain
mentality pervasive today! May her sacrifice
infuse courage in all those who participate
personally or communally in the Movement for
Life and in other similar organisations…”
After the beatification ceremony, Pietro Molla
told reporters how joyful, loving and caring his
wife had been, ‘But’, he said, ‘in the seven years
I lived with her, I never realized I had been living
with a saint!’
12 Hajja Salesjana
Don Bosco Around the World
In preparation for the celebration of the Bi-Centenary of the birth of St. John Bosco
(16th August 1815), the relics of the saint are going around the Salesian world. The
urn contains a life-size statue of the saint, a copy of the one in the Basilica of Mary Help
of Christians in Turin, with some bones of the saint in it. In 2014 it will visit Malta.
JAPAN
The arrival of Don Bosco’s relics in Japan in
February, had a novel feature about it: for the
veneration of the faithful rather than the cas-
ket there is a statue of the saint. At the request
of the Salesian Provincial in Japan, Fr Aldo Cipri-
ani, a second relic of Don Bosco, a kneecap, has
also been sent from Turin. Unlike the forearm,
however, this is not inside the statue but is kept
in a separate reliquary so as to allow the faith-
ful and those who wish to see the relic as they
venerate it. Some examples of documents hand-
written by Don Bosco have also accompanied the
journey of the relics in the Japanese Province.
The choice of the statue in place of the casket
made so that the faithful may express their devo-
tion according to their traditional culture, was not
simply the decision of the Salesian community. In
fact before asking for the statue to be sent Fr
Cipriani consulted Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada
of Tokyo.
13Hajja Salesjana
AUSTRALIA (MELBOURNE)
In March, Don Bosco’s relics were travelling
around Australia. The Aboriginal, Salesian and
student communities have welcomed the saint
of youth. On Tuesday 8 March the statue of
Don Bosco, with the right forearm of the saint,
was received by the Australian Aboriginal Com-
munity, which presented a specially prepared
traditional Message Stick –“The Message Stick,
is a sign of welcome and of hope that the pas-
sage of the Relic through the v arious areas of
Australia will be safe and bring blessings” it said.
The first stop on the pilgrimage was Chad-
stone, a suburb of Melbourne, where the Relic
was placed in the Salesian Community Chapel.
That evening there was the first public event at-
tended by distinguished guests, local Members
of Parliament, Parish Priests, Religious as well
as parents and many people from the local area.
On 10 March, two Masses were said: one for the
1000 College students and later one open to ev-
eryone at which the Salesian auxiliary Bishop of
Melbourne Tim Costelloe presided. On Sunday 13
March Don Bosco’s relics were welcomed in vari-
ous parishes in the city and then in the religious
centre at Monash University. The young people re-
cited the rosary led by the Dominican chaplain of
the University Fr Laurie Foote, who also gave re-
flections on the life of Don Bosco. Here too Bishop
Costelloe presided at Mass attended by over 200
students and members of the Catholic Community
at the University.
The statue of Don Bosco was later transferred
to the Salesian parish of St Margaret Mary in North
Brunswick from where it spent the following week
visiting Salesian Centres around the Western and
Northern part of the city.
14 Hajja Salesjana
You Reap
His first thought was that she wanted to make
fun of him, like so many others had done be-
fore… “Leave me alone,” he growled.
What You Sow
“Good morning,” said a
woman as she walked up to
the man sitting on ground.
The man slowly looked
up. This was a woman
clearly accustomed to the
finer things of life. She
looked like she had never
missed a meal in her life.
To his amazement, the woman
continued standing. She was smiling.
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “No,” he
answered sarcastically. “I’ve just come from
dining with the president. Now go away.”
The woman’s smile became even broader.
Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under
his arm. “What are you doing, lady?” the man
asked angrily. “I said to leave me alone.”
Just then a policeman came up. “Is there any
problem, ma’am?” he asked. “No problem here,
officer,” the woman answered. “I’m just trying
to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?”
The officer scratched his head. “That’s old
Jack. He’s been a fixture around here for
a couple of years. What do you want with
him?” “See that cafeteria over there?” she
asked. “I’m going to get him something to
eat and get him out of the cold for awhile.”
“Are you crazy, lady?” the homeless man
resisted. “I don’t want to go in there!” Then
he felt strong hands grab his other arm and
lift him up. “Let me go, officer. I didn’t do
anything.”
“This is a good deal for you, Jack”
the officer answered. “Don’t blow it.”
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman
and the police officer got Jack into the
15Hajja Salesjana
cafeteria. It was the middle of the morning, so
most of the breakfast crowd had already left. The
manager strode across the cafeteria and stood
by their table. “What’s going on here, officer?” he
asked. “What is all this, is this man in trouble?”
“This lady brought this man in here
to be fed,” the policeman answered.
“Not in here!” the manager replied angrily.
“Having a person like that here is bad for
business.” Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. “See,
lady. I told you so. Now if you’ll let me go. I didn’t
want to come here in the first place.”
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager
and smiled. “Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and
Associates, the banking firm down the street?”
“Of course I am,” the manager answered
impatiently. “They hold their weekly
meetings in one of my banquet rooms.”
“And do you make a goodly amount of money
providing food at these weekly meetings?”
“What business is that of yours?” “I, sir,
am Penelope Eddy, President and CEO of
the company.” The woman smiled again.
“I thought that might make a difference.”
She sat down at the table across from her
amazed dinner guest. She stared at him
intently. “Jack, do you remember me?”
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy
eyes. “I think so. I mean you do look familiar.”
“I’m a little older perhaps,” she said. “Maybe I’ve
even filled out more than in my younger days
when you worked here, and I came through that
very door, cold and hungry. I was just out of
college,” the woman began. “I had come to the
city looking for a job, but I couldn’t find anything.
I walked the streets for days. It was February and
I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place
and walked in on the off chance that I could get
something to eat.”
Jack lit up with a smile. “Now I remember,” he
said. “I was behind the serving counter. You came
up and asked me if you could work for something
to eat. I said that it was against company policy.”
“I know,” the woman continued. “Then you
made me the biggest roast beef sandwich
that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee,
and told me to go over to a corner table and
enjoy it. Then, when I looked over, I saw you
put the price of my food in the cash register.”
“So you started your own business?” Old Jack
said.
“I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my
way up. Eventually I started my own business
that, with the help of God, prospered.” She opened
her purse and pulled out a business card. “When
you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit
to a Mr. Lyons. He’s the personnel director of my
company. I’ll go talk to him now and I’m certain
he’ll find something for you to do around the
office.” She smiled. “I think he might even find
the funds to give you a little advance so that you
can buy some clothes and get a place to live until
you get on your feet. If you ever need anything,
my door is always open to you.” “How can I ever
thank you?” he said.
“Don’t thank me,” the woman answered. “To
God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you.”
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman
paused at the entrance before going their
separate ways. “Thank you for all your help,
officer,” she said.
“On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,” he answered.
“Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that
I will never forget.”
16 Hajja Salesjana
Marija qalet: “Ru˙i tfa˙˙ar il-kobor tal-Mulej
U l-ispirtu tieg˙i jifra˙ f’Alla s-Salvatur tieg˙i
G˙ax hu xe˙et g˙ajnejh fuq iç-çokon tal-qaddejja
tieg˙u.
Iva, minn issa ‘l quddiem kull nisel jibda jsejja˙li
hienja, G˙ax is-setg˙ani g˙amel mieg˙i ˙wejje©
kbar;
Qaddis hu l-isem tieg˙u.
Il-˙niena tieg˙u tinfirex f’kull Ωmien fuq dawk li
jibΩg˙u minnu.
Hu wera l-qawwa ta’ drieg˙u,
Xerred lil dawk li huma mkabbra f’qalbhom.
NiΩΩel is-setg˙ana minn fuq it-tron tag˙hom u
g˙olla ç-çkejknin.
Mela b’kull ©id lil min hu bil-©u˙,
U l-g˙onja bag˙athom ‘il barra b’xejn.
Óa ˙sieb IΩrael qaddej tieg˙u
g˙ax ftakar fil-˙niena tieg˙u
b˙alma wieg˙ed lil missirijietna
b’riΩq Abraham u nislu g˙al dejjem.’’ (Lq 1: 46-55)
IT-TALB TAGÓNA KIF INHU?
Xi w˙ud jg˙idu li t-talb ta’ filg˙odu u ta’ filg˙axija
ma j˙alluh qatt. Din tista’ tkun drawwa fil-familja
li wie˙ed ikun imdorri jag˙mel minn çkunitu. Li
tilbes il-pi©ama qabel torqod jew li tiekol xi ˙a©a
meta tqum kull filg˙odu, huma wkoll drawwiet.
O˙rajn jg˙idu li jitolbu meta j˙ossu l-bΩonn u
juΩaw kliem li jo˙ro© minn qalbhom f’dak il-˙in.
Mhux dejjem l-a˙jar li titlob skond dak li t˙oss
f’qalbek. Ta’ spiss l-g˙aΩliet li nag˙mlu fil-˙ajja
je˙tie©u ˙sieb u attenzjoni.
Kultant tiltaqa’ ma’ nies li jitolbu biss meta
jkollhom bΩonn ta’ xi ˙a©a u mbag˙ad jilmentaw li
Alla ma jismag˙homx. Imma Alla mhuwiex hemm
biex isodd it-toqob jew g˙al meta jaqblilna.
Ejjew nag˙mlu prova fuq kif inhu t-talb tag˙na
u nwie©bu g˙al xi mistoqsijiet bl-akbar sinçerità.
META ? Il-˙in eΩatt li fih , matul il-©urnata,
jiena nag˙mel it-talb tieg˙i.
KEMM? Il-˙in bl-arlo©©, li bi ˙siebni nag˙ti
g˙at-talb.
FEJN? Liema hu l-ambjent u l-post fejn jien bi
˙siebni nqatta’ l-˙in tat-talb.
KIF? Fit-talb tieg˙i, kemm attenzjoni se nag˙ti
biex niΩΩi ˙ajr ‘l Alla, biex nitlob ma˙fra, u biex
nitlob ˙wejje© o˙ra.
MA’ MIN? Wa˙di, mal-komunità, ma’ s˙abi… ?
U FIL-ÓAJJA TIEGÓI? X’importanza g˙andu
t-talb fil-˙ajja tieg˙i biex ˙ajti ma tkunx vojta u
t-talb ma jkunx biered?
GRAZZI LIL ALLA
In˙arsu lejn il-Madonna li fil-Magnificat tag˙tina
f’idejna talba l-©miel tag˙ha u ma jonqosha xejn.
Hija talba ta’ ringrazzjament lil Alla g˙al kull ma
g˙amel mag˙ha. Ukoll qabel ma talbitu hi. Waqt
li hija tibqa’ dejjem t˙ossha fqira u fil-bΩonn tal-
im˙abba.
Mela biex nitolbu, nirringrazzjaw lil Alla ta’
dak kollu li jag˙tina ta’ kuljum u nitolbuh ma˙fra
talli m’g˙arafniex u ma rringrazzjajniehx tal-
˙niena kbira tieg˙u. Imbag˙ad fl-a˙˙ar nistg˙u
nitolbuh dak li nixtiequ g˙alina. Jekk ix-xewqat
tag˙na jixbhu lil dawk li g˙alihom il-Madonna
tirringrazzja lil Alla fil-Magnificat, nistg˙u nkunu
Ωguri li t-talb tag˙na ji©i mismug˙.
U fuq kollox, jirnexxilna nag˙mlu t-talb parti
magnificat
Il-Kliem u s-skiet tal-Madonna
17Hajja Salesjana
mill-˙ajja tag˙na, b˙al Madonna, li wara li farr©et
lil Alla, damet tlitt xhur taqdi lil qariba tag˙ha
EliΩabetta.
Ru˙i tfa˙˙ar lil Alla u tixtieq tg˙arraf lil kul˙add
il-fer˙ li jiena nemmen fih, G˙aliex i˙obbni hekk
kif jien, bid dg˙ufija kollha tieg˙i.
Sewwa sew g˙alhekk ‘il quddiem g˙ad jiftakru
fija.
Alla kien wisq ˙anin mieg˙i u g˙alhekk jiena
nsemmi ismu bl-akbar qima,
Waqt li l-g˙onja sabu ru˙hom b’idejhom vojta u
˙ajjithom spiççat fix-xejn.
Il-Mulej qieg˙ed qrib il-Knisja tieg˙u,
Ji©ifieri mal-Komunità mi©bura madwaru mal-
Iben u mal-Ispirtu s-Santu.
B’hekk juri l-˙ila kbira tieg˙u li j˙obb u ja˙fer lil
kull˙add u dejjem,
Kif kien wieg˙ed fl-img˙oddi lil Abraham u lill-
poplu Lhudi,
Lill-Appostli u lid-Dixxipli fi Ωmien Ìesù.
Alla j˙obbni
Kif taraw, din hija t-talba tal-Magnificat bil-
kliem tag˙na ta’ kuljum.
1 Alla j˙obbni u j˙obb il-©rajja ta’ ̇ ajti, dg˙ajfa u
bla ebda sigurtà…
Tassew hekk hu: jiena nafda l-©ejjieni kollu
tieg˙i fuq il-Kelma tieg˙u.
Alla kien ©eneruΩ ˙afna mieg˙i u ma’ dawk
kollha li emmnu fih!
Jiena nfa˙˙ar dejjem l-im˙abba tieg˙u fit-talb
tieg˙i.
2 Barra milli hu tajjeb, Alla juri l-qawwa tieg˙u
ma’ dawk li jitkabbru,
Jekk tafda ˙ajtek fuq il-kapaçità tieg˙ek u fuq
l-g˙ana,
Issib ru˙ek b’idejk vojta jew mimlijin b’dak li
ma jiswa xejn.
Il-˙obΩ ta’ kuljum u l-veru sens tal-˙ajja, dawn
Alla jag˙tik dejjem.
3 Alla ©ie jiltaqa’ mal-Knisja b’idejh mimlija
ma˙fra u m˙abba:
Din hija l-weg˙da li hu g˙amel lil min jemmen
u lil dawk kollha li jimxu wara Kristu.
G˙al dawn id-doni jiena nfa˙˙ar lil Mulej! Lil
Alla Missier, grazzi li tana lil Ibnu :
Hu li jag˙tina l-Ispirtu s-Santu, g˙ajn tal-˙ajja
ta’ dejjem.
B˙al Marija qalbna tifra˙ g˙ax nemmnu,
in˙obbu u nittamaw fih.
Magnificat! Magnificat! Magnificat!
Don Giorgio Chatrian
18 Hajja Salesjana
Something
to think about…
19Hajja Salesjana
Learn to LIVE
Enjoy life, it is not a rehearsal.
Live each day in the present and make it beautiful.
If you love life, life will love you back.
Believe that your life is worth living and your beliefs will help create the fact.
Don’t fear pressure, for pressure is what turns rough stones into diamonds.
Don’t count the days, make your days count.
The world is like a mirror, if you face it smiling, it smiles back at you.
Happiness is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.
Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks softly.
Good times may become good memories. Bad times may become good lessons.
People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
Wherever you go take your heart along.
20 Hajja Salesjana
Malta Salesjana
LI KELLNA U LI SER IKOLLNA
Fr John Horan, is-Superjur Provinçjali tag˙na (Irlanda
u Malta) ©ie jag˙mel iΩ-Ωjara kanonika ta’ kull sena
matul l-a˙˙ar ©imag˙tejn ta’ Marzu. Huwa Ωar l-erba’
komunitajiet tag˙na f’Malta (2 f’Tas-Sliema, Óad-Dingli
u l-Isla) u ltaqa’ mas-Salesjani, anke mat-tnejn ta’
Tunes li ©ew Malta proprju g˙alhekk. Din kienet l-a˙˙ar
Ωjara uffiçjali ta’ Fr John g˙aliex huwa ser jispiçça minn
Provinçjal. A˙na niΩΩuh ˙ajr tad-dedikazzjoni fit-twettiq
tad-dover tieg˙u matul dawn l-a˙˙ar 6 snin.
Nhar il-Ìimg˙a 1 ta’ April, wasal Malta g˙al Ωjara qasira
Fr Michael Casey li ser ikun il-Provinçjal il-©did tag˙na.
Huwa iltaqa’ mal-Kunsill tad-Delegazzjoni Salesjana ta’
Malta u Ωar id-Djar Salesjani. Nilqg˙u lil Fr Michael, li jie˙u r-riedni f’idejh f’Awwissu li ©ej,
u nawgurawlu.
JUM ST. PATRICK F’TAS-SLIEMA
Wie˙ed mil-modi kif ji©i ççelebrat Jum St. Patrick huwa li ssir quddiesa g˙al dawk l-IrlandiΩi
Kattoliçi li jg˙ixu Malta u jixtiequ jiltaqg˙u. Flimkien ma’ IrlandiΩi o˙rajn li jaqraw l-avviΩ
fil-gazzetti, ikollhom quddiesa solenni fil-Kappella tag˙na. Hemm wa˙da anzjana li ta’ kull
sena ©©ib ix-shamrock mill-Irlanda u tqassam lil kul˙add. PreΩenti g˙al din l-okkaΩjoni, din
is-sena, kien hemm ukoll l-Ambaxxatur IrlandiΩ u s-sinjura tieg˙u. Waqt il-quddiesa jitkantaw
innijiet IrlandiΩi li jfakkru lill-
Qaddis San Patrizju.
Kien Fr. Charlie Said li mexxa
l-quddiesa, flimkien ma’ Frs.
Antoine Farrugia u Joe Cini.
Wara l-quddiesa kien hemm kafè
jew tè g˙al kul˙add flimkien ma’
gallettini u cake.
Din l-okkaΩjoni issa saret
tradizzjoni g˙aliex ilha ssir ˙afna
snin wara xulxin, u n-numru ta’
dawk li ji©u g˙aliha dejjem jikber!
21Hajja Salesjana
IS-SORIJIET SALESJANI TA’ TUNES
Wara l-qtil tas-qassis Pollakk li ©ara fid-Dar Salesjana
tal-Manouba, intweriet simpatija lejn is-Salesjani
b’˙afna modi. Ftit jiem wara li se˙˙ dan id-delitt, is-
Sorijiet Salesjani miΩ-Ωew© komunitajiet li hemm
fit-TuneΩija (f’Menzel Bourguiba u f’Tunis Medina)
marru jΩuru lill-Fathers Salesjani sabiex jg˙addu xi
ftit ˙in mag˙hom. Hemm disa’ sorijiet f’dawn iΩ-Ωew©
komunitajiet. Dawk minnhom li setg˙u jmorru g˙and il-Fathers qag˙du jie˙du t-te mag˙hom u jitkellmu
fuq dak li qieg˙ed ji©ri fil-pajjiΩ. Kienet serata’ ta’ vera ˙biberija.
LAQGÓA TAL-EÛEKUTTIV DBYN
Is-Salesian Youth Pastoral Service (SPYS)
kien irrappreΩentat minn wie˙ed mill-
membri tieg˙u, Ivor Muscat, fil-Laqg˙a tal-
Kumitat EΩekuttiv Ìenerali tad-Don Bosco
Youth Net
(DBYN) li sar fi Krakovja, il-Polonja,
f’Marzu li g˙adda. Malta ©iet g˙al darb’o˙ra
eletta fil-Bord Amministrattiv g˙at-tlett
snin li ©ejjin. Id-DBYN ti©bor fiha g˙aqdiet
Salesjani ta’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ minn 13-il pajjiΩ tal-Ewropa. Malta, flimkien mal-Ìermanja, Polonja,
Bel©ju u r-Renju Unit ˙admet sabiex jissa˙˙a˙ dan in-network ta’ g˙aqdiet u movimenti
Salesjani taΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ fl-Ewropa. Matul din il-laqg˙a ©ie elett il-President il-©did tad-
DBYN, Leive van Aerschot, g˙at-tlett snin li ©ejjin.
BOSCOFEST 2011
L-avvenimet ta’ kull sena li jkun organizzat f’Savio College, ©ie mniedi
nhar il-Óadd 6 ta’ Marzu ©ewwa Savio College stess. Wara quddiesa
g˙al daqs 240 Ωg˙aΩag˙ li attendew, ilkoll msej˙a permezz tal-
Facebook, tqassmu l-applikazzjonijiet. Ìiet imnedija wkoll website
g˙al dan l-avveniment www.boscofest.org Fr. Louis Grech li huwa
l-organizzatur, spjega kemm l-g˙an kif ukoll il-motto “Reaching Out”
li jixtieq li jintla˙qu din is-sena. Din ser tkun il-Óames sena li ser
issir il-Boscofest, lejn l-a˙˙ar ta’ Awwissu, u b˙al ta’ qabilha di©à
qajmet entuΩjaΩmu kbir fost dawk li j˙obbu d-drama, il-muΩika, il-
kant, iΩ-Ωfin u l-animazzjoni. “Reaching Out” tistieden liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙
i˙arsu madwarhom lejn min hu fil-bΩonn: g˙alhekk ser isiru Ωjarat
fid-Dar tal-Providenza, f’St. Vincent de Paul u Dar Sagra Familja.
Çertament, din is-sena wkoll, Boscofest ser tkun esperjenza mill-isba˙
g˙ Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li jie˙du sehem.
22 Hajja Salesjana
3Saint
Mary Mazzarello
This is the story of a “woman
with a backbone,” as Pope
Pius XI called her. The story
of a soul who passed through
a life of hunger, toil and
contradiction. The story of a
leader, a foundress, a saint.
DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF
CHRISTIANS
And thus the Daughters of Mary Help of Chris-
tians had their lowly beginning: a handful of
young peasant girls, living together in rudi-
mentary religious life, sharing a small cottage
which they proudly called “The Immaculate
Conception House” taking in small village girls
to teach them their religious and domestic du-
ties. Even begging was necessary for the Sis-
ters in those hard beginnings. Through those
crucial days, only one thing kept the new
community together and that was the love of
God. It served them as fuel, nourishment, and
comfort.
The first rules of the new community
were drawn up by Don Bosco in 1867. Mary
Mazzarello, then thirty years old, was
considered the natural Superior or Mother.
Sister Petronilla, who had grown up with
Mary in the fields asserts very resolutely
that most of the community’s good humour,
patience, fortitude and absolute trust in God
came from Mary.
July 31, 1872: a day that would make the
town of Mornese famous. In the chapel of the
new school built by Father Pestarino fifteen
young women knelt in anxious anticipation
before the altar. This was to be the day of
their mystic espousal with Christ. In the
sanctuary sat the Bishop of the diocese;
near him stood Don Bosco, who had steered
the new congregation through troublesome
beginnings. Mary Mazzarello, her face radiant
23Hajja Salesjana
with joy, went first to the Bishop’s chair. He
placed upon her the new habit which she
herself had devised and upon her head he
placed the veil of the Sisterhood. And she
arose – Sister Mary Mazzarello. One by one,
the other heroic young women stepped forth
to receive the habit. Then Mary Mazzarello
and her companions, uttered vows of Poverty,
Chastity and Obedience. The promise she had
made to God at her First Communion was now
complete!
The new Sisters received their official
name of “The Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians.” Their work was clearly outlined
for them by Don Bosco: they were to consider
themselves as the complement of the work
of the Salesian Fathers and Brothers, and
what the Salesians were doing for the boys
they would do for the girls. Before leaving,
Don Bosco asked Mary Mazzarello to assume
temporary charge – to the joy of the Sisters
and her own embarrassment. She objected,
alleging her ignorance as an excuse, but, on
the Saint’s reassurance that it would be only
for a while, she humbly acceded to his wishes
and became Mother Mary Mazzarello.
The temporary job lasted two years. And
then, in the first elections of the Congregation,
Mother Mary Mazzarello was chosen to be the
first Superior General by a unanimous vote!
MOTHER GENERAL
Mother Mary Mazzarello remained Mother
General till death. In those seven years she
endeared herself to her sisters by a genu-
ine, deep-seated humility and extraordinary
sense of motherly understanding. The con-
viction that she was a peasant girl, fit only
to do the humblest task, never left her and
gave her every work and action an attractive
pleasantness that took the barb out of cor-
rection, sweetened even a gentle reprimand,
and won all hearts to her. The little incidents
of her life, when looked upon as a whole, form
a marvelous portrait of a woman who had the
heart of a mother and the soul of an angel.
One day a postulant ran into her room. On the
verge of tears, she exclaimed: “Mother I have
to go home – today!”
Gradually the story came in bits between
sobs, a combination of homesickness, childish
worry, and an attempt or two of the devil to
ruin a religious vocation. Mother explained it
all to her.
“Well now, there is no sense of dashing
off before you even know your own mind.
Why don’t you stay with us for a month on
vacation? Then we’ll pray together, and if you
want to return home after that, I’ll go with
you myself. How’s that?” The girl agreed and
became a wonderful Salesian sister!
A novice, Catherine, had happily gone
through her period of novitiate and was ready
for her religious profession when a storm of
doubts overwhelmed her. She consulted her
superior and spiritual director, a Salesian
priest.
“Go ask Mother Mazzarello,” was the
24 Hajja Salesjana
(to continue...)
answer. She did. Mother analysed the
problem and unquestionably told Catherine
it was all a temptation. “Take your vows
Catherine,” she concluded.
But Catherine went to her superior again
and once more manifested her doubts. The
Sister tried repeatedly to assure Catherine,
to no avail. The temptation was grave and
the girl was evidently suffering. Just then
the spiritual director of the house entered
and told her: “Mother Mazzarello gave
me a message for you this morning: ‘Tell
Catherine that she is to receive the habit
and make her vows. God has called her to
do a great deal of good.’ Well Catherine, now
you know God’s Will. The decision is up to
you.”
“Yes Father,” the girl answered slowly.
“I’ll do as Mother says.”
Seven years later, Catherine Daghero
was elected Superior General to succeed
Mother Mazzarello on her death. Her life of
profound holiness was rivaled only by that of
her canonised predecessor.
LIFE AT MORNESE
Wash day was not a private affair in Mornese;
everyone did her laundry in public at the
mountain brook that skirted the village. It
was a rather noisy event. But at the end of
the chattering line of women, one could see
a small group of the new sisters washing the
community laundry, and in the group Mother
Mazzarello, the superior, industriously bang-
ing away at the soiled clothing, chatting ami-
ably with her companions.
“But, Mother,” one Sister complained, “you
shouldn’t be scrubbing clothes like the rest of
us. Look everyone is pointing at you.”
Mother smiled. “Now child, don’t be so
curious as to see who’s pointing at us. And
what if they do? Am I any better than you or
the other sisters? I am just a peasant, and
there is no sense in my putting on airs.”
25Hajja Salesjana
Is-Salesian Brigade g˙al darb’o˙ra organizza
trekking mal-punent tal-gΩira G˙awdxija
nhar il-5 u 6 ta’ Marzu 2011. Il-grupp immexxi
minn Joe Camilleri u Jesmond Cassar imxew
u gawdew il-kampanja sabi˙a fin-na˙at
tax-Xatt l-A˙mar, Im©arr ix-Xini, Ta’ Çenç,
Kerçem u f’Santa Luçija, fil-limiti ta’ G˙ajn
Abdul, kielu u raqdu fl-g˙erien preistorici
li j©ibu l-veduta imponenti tal-©ebla tal-
Ìeneral.
Il-grupp armat sa’ snienu bil-haversacks
fuq daru, ©arr l-ikel kollu ta’ jumejn u anke
l-affarijiet personali tieg˙u, f’ri˙ kiesa˙ iΩda
bla xita. L-ikel issajjar fuq stoves u barBQ u
kul˙add naddaf, talab u raqad g˙as-s˙ana tal-
isleeping bag.
L-g˙ada l-mixja kompliet g˙as-Sannat fejn
il-grupp re©a’ pprepara x’jiekol qabel qabad
tal-linja g˙all-Im©arr.
L-iskop ewlieni ta’ dal-mixjiet pjuttost
iebsa huwa li Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ tal-Brigade
jitg˙allmu japprezzaw in-natura, jeΩerçitaw
ru˙hom, ja˙dmu fi grupp, isajru u jnaddfu,
jinterpretaw mappa, jie˙du pjaçir u fuq kollox
bi preparamenti g˙all-spedizzjonijiet tal-
President’s Award Scheme.
Joe Camilleri
26 Hajja Salesjana
Xi drabi, Past Pupils ta’ Savio College, jiltaqg˙u
bejniethom. Dawn soltu jkunu l-˙bieb antiki tal-
klassi tag˙hom. Kemm-il darba waslitli a˙bar ta’
dawn il-laqg˙at. Ftit ilu rçevejt messa©© u ritratti
bl- e-mail ming˙and Giovanni Barbaro Sant. Hekku
dak li kitibli.
<<Dan l-a˙˙ar kont id-dar tal-Mamà, il-Mosta, u
©ie f’idejja l-Óajja Salesjana ta’ Jannar-Frar 2011 u
©ieni l-˙sieb li nwassallek a˙bar...
Dan l-a˙˙ar, preçiΩament fit- 8 ta’ Jannar saret
laqg˙a (re-union) ta’ dawk li konna Form 5 fl-1979
f’Savio College. Din saret fuq inizjattiva mibdija
minn Martin Abela (ta’ Óad-Dingli) u Paul Vella (˙u
Fr. Savio) li fassal il-programm u ˙abbar bosta
kuntatti, u jien tajt sehmi ukoll. Wara 32 sena,
er©ajna ltqajna g˙all-Quddiesa mmexxija minn
(Fr.) Joe Mamo OFM Conv, li saret fil-kappella tal-
Knisja ta’ San Fran©isk u wara ikla g˙and Margo’s
fi Triq ir-Repubblika.
Avveniment li rnexxa tista’ tg˙id g˙al
kollox. L-akbar parteçipazzjoni vokali waqt il-
quddiesa kienet proprju l-Innu f’©ie˙ Dun Bosco
Ulied Malta ©ew jifir˙ulek...Mill-klassi ta’ aktar
minn 30 ru˙, kien hemm neqsin biss, Joe Bonello
(li sfortunatament ˙alliena xi sentejn ilu), Victor
Cuschieri li ma irnexxilniex nikkuntattjawh
u Anthony Rossi li sfortunatament ma setax
jattendi.
Qed nehmez xi ritratti...tlieta ta’ dakinhar u
ie˙or aktarx me˙ud meta konna F4, b’Fr. Francis
Ûammit fuq quddiem. Hemm ˙afna aktar ritratti...
il-˙sieb hu li dawn g˙andhom jin©abru u ji©u
ççirkolati bejn dawk li attendew. Na˙seb li jekk
ji©i ppubblikat dan ir-ritratt tag˙na, g˙andu jservi
ta’ inkora©©iment lil ex-studenti o˙rajn biex
jorganizzaw ’re-unions’ b˙al dawn... x’ta˙seb? -
Tislijiet - Giovanni (gbs@go.net.mt)>>
Malli rçevejt dan il-messa©©, we©ibt lil
Giovanni u weg˙idtu li nippubblika kull ma bg˙atli
f’Óajja Salesjana. Nittama li jkun hemm gruppi
o˙ra ta’ Past Pupils li jiltaqg˙u u jibag˙tuli ritratti
u deskrizzjoni tal-laqg˙at tag˙hom.
Fr Joe Cini
Past Pupils
ta’ Savio College
27Hajja Salesjana
(Saturday 29th January 2011) Here in the city of
Toronto, at the Salesian Parish of St. Benedict,
we celebrated with due solemnity the feast of St.
John Bosco, our Patron Saint.
This occasion is held every year from the
moment we organized ourselves as Past Pupils
of the Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria, Gozo. The
Oratory, as many of you know, was run by the
Salesians for a number of years (1946 – 1965).
There I had the good fortune to work and serve
affectionately for over 2 years (1959 – 1962). After
that I had come to New York and then to Canada
to join my family.
All the Past Pupils joined in the festivities
which consisted of a Solemn Mass and reception
during which we chatted and had a good time
meeting each other. We felt quite happy to meet
with the Salesian Pastor, Fr Mike Pace sdb, who
hails from Qormi, Malta, and who was so delighted
to see us. It was a rainy day, it’s true, but all came
to share the good time and to recall the past
happy moments and the great feast of Don Bosco
we used to have at Victoria. We sure missed the
fireworks display freely given to us by Mr. Cilia
(RIP).
I am very thankful to the organising committee
over here, headed by Mr. Ignatius (Nazinu) Saliba
and Mr. Achille Attard, and to their many friends,
some of whom are seen in the picture here. With
us is Fr. Mike Pace and myself.
We sure look forward to keep meeting again,
to celebrate Don Bosco once again and to see our
good friends of old, remembering our happy days
in Victoria, Gozo.
by Fr. Joe Fenech
Feast of Don Bosco in Toronto
28 Hajja Salesjana
Fr Rybinski’s body had left Tunisia, on 28 February
and arrived in Poland on Tuesday 1 March. On
arrival the body was taken to the Missionary
House of the Salesians in Warsaw where there was
an all-night vigil. Family, friends, members of the
Salesian “Saruel” Youth Movement, volunteers
from the Don Bosco International Voluntary
Service and Salesians, all took part. At midnight
about 30 priests concelebrated a Mass of suffrage.
On Wednesday, Archbishop Józef Michalik of
Przemysl and President of the Polish Bishops’
Conference presided at Mass at which about 250
priests, religious and diocesan concelebrated.
Also present were some representatives of the
Salesians in Ireland and Malta – on which the
Salesian community of Manouba depends– and
the Consul of Tunisia in Poland.
Fr Slawomir Lubian, Provincial of Warsaw
gave the homily. At the end of Mass Mons. Wiktor
Skworc, President of the Commission for the
Mission of the Polish Bishops read a tribute to Fr
Rybinski. Then in the name of the Councillor for
the Salesian Missions, Fr Stanislaw Rafalko spoke,
quoting some phrases written by Fr Rybisnki:
“I don’t have a missionary vocation but I have
not stopped praying for one.” Fr John Horan,
The final salute
Fr Marek Rybinski
Family members, friends, Salesians, but also religious and Sisters,
young people and faithful from throughout Poland gathered together
on Wednesday 2 March in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in
Warsaw for the funeral Mass of Fr Marek Rybinski.
29Hajja Salesjana
Provincial of Ireland said that Fr Rybinski knew
what it meant to give one’s life for the missions.
Bishop Hoser, saying the final prayer declared
that Fr Rybinski was added to the list of the first
martyrs of the Church who in that country had
given their lives for Christ: Saints Cyprian, Perpetua
and Felicity. The body of Fr Marek Rybinski was
then buried in the Salesian plot in the cemetery of
Warsaw Brudno.
• • •
Fr Marek Rybinski, a young Polish missionary in
Manouba, Tunisia, was found killed on the morning
of the 18th February in the Salesian school at
Manouba, near Tunis. Tragically his body was found
in a store room with his throat cut. At 9.30 the day
before Fr Rybinski had spoken on the phone to Sr
Ewa Siuda, at the Mission Office in Warsaw, and
asked her to send a fax confirming that a sum of
money had been transferred.
Fr. Rybinski, only 33 years of age, originally
from the Warsaw Province in Poland, was ordained
priest in May 2005. In September 2007 he arrived
in Manouba where he became community
bursar. “Marek was extremely efficient and
through his contacts with the Polish Missions
Office he was able to finance various projects for
the good of the school,” Fr. Lawrence Essery said.
Fr. Marek had also been appointed chaplain to the
Polish community by the archbishop of Tunisia and
had spent a lot of time preparing the youngsters
for Confirmation.
On 28 February, in the Cathedral of Tunis,
Archbishop Maroun Elias Nimeh Lahham of Tunisia
presided at a Mass for Fr Marek Rybinski. Many
people of different nationalities and religions
attended the funeral. The Cathedral was packed.
The concelebrants were the Salesians Fr Mario
Mulè Stagno, Director of the Salesian School in
Manouba and Fr Laurence Essery, Rector of the
Salesian community and about thirty other diocesan
priests. Among those present at the Mass were the
Polish Ambassador in Tunisia accompanied by his
wife, the Ambassador of Malta and the Consul,
and representatives of the Muslim and Jewish
communities in Tunisia. The teachers from the
school, all Muslims, were present in force together
with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from
their communities in Menzel Bourguiba and the city
of Tunis.
The readings and intercessions at Mass were in
Polish, French and Arabic respecting the various
cultures represented and involved in the tragic
episode. The Archbishop gave his homily first in
French and then in Arabic. Some moments in the
service were particularly moving. At the offertory
procession some teachers brought the work
some of the pupils from the infant school had
done in memory of Fr Rybinski. After communion
a priest from Jordan sang in Arabic a prayer of
abandonment by Blessed Charles de Foucauld and
then the Polish community sang a hymn to Our Lady
in their language.
May the Lord give eternal reward to Fr. Marek
Rybinski, a blessing to the Salesian School at
Manouba and peace to the land of Tunisia.
30 Hajja Salesjana
Dun Bosco
fis-santi u kartolini
minn Renè Sacco
it-tmien parti
Appell: Nixtieq nie˙u din l-opportunità biex nistieden lil min g˙andu xi santi ta’ Dun Bosco li
jista’ jiddisponi minnhom biex jg˙addihomli ˙alli titkompla tikber il-kollezzjoni. Il-kollezzjoni
tinkludi ukoll lil S. Fran©isk ta’ Sales, S. Domenico Savio, Maria AwΩiljatriçi, u l-erwie˙ tajba
kollha Salesjani. Ni©bor ukoll domni, bolli, midalji u materjal ie˙or b’konnessjoni ma’ Dun
Bosco jew is-Salesjani. Grazzi bil-quddiem.
Proprju biex tkun taqbel ma’ dan iΩ-Ωmien tas-
sena (Mejju – Ìunju), ˙sibna li din il-parti tas-
sensiela tag˙na niddedikawha lid-devozzjoni li
kellu Dun Bosco lejn il-Madonna, partikolarment
bit-titolu ta’ G˙ajnuna tal-Insara. L-invokazzjoni
ta’ Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara (Auxilium Christiano-
rum) tmur lura fiΩ-Ωmien bikri ˙afna u jing˙ad li l-
ewwel persuna li uΩat dan it-titolu kien San Ìwann
Krisostmu fis–sena 345 wara Kristu. Id-devozzjoni
lejn Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara xterdet mal-Ewropa
kollha madwar is-sena 1571, is-sena li fiha se˙˙et
il-battalja ta’ Lepanto bejn il-qawwiet Kristjani u
dawk Islamiçi ta’ l-imperu Ottoman. Il-Papa Piu V
kien ˙e©©e© l-insara biex f’dak iΩ-Ωmien diffiçli
g˙all-KristjaneΩmu jg˙idu r-ruΩarju u jitolbu lil Ma-
ria g˙all-g˙ajnuna.
Fis-sena 1809, imbag˙ad, il-forzi ta’ Napuljun
da˙lu ©ol-Vatican u arrestaw il-Papa Piju VII u
˙aduh Fontainbleau fejn inΩamm fil-˙abs g˙all-
˙ames snin. Il-Papa Piju VII g˙amel wieg˙da li jekk
jer©a’ lura g˙all-Vatican jistabbilixxi festa speçjali
g˙ad-unur ta’ Maria. Napuljun kien kostrett je˙les
lill-Papa li, nhar l-24 ta’ Mejju 1814, da˙al lura Ruma
trijonfalment. Sena wara dan il-Papa ˙areg digriet
biex il-festa ta’ Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara tkun
iççelebrata fl-24 ta’ Mejju.
Fl-isfond ta’ dan kollu nistg˙u ng˙idu
b’wiççna minn quddiem li l-akbar kontribut lejn
id-devozzjoni ta’ Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara taha
l-qaddis patrun tag˙na Dun Bosco. F’kitba dwar
il-Kongregazzjoni Salesjana, Dun Bosco jistqarr li
fost l-o©©ettivi prinçipali ta’ din il-Kongregazzjoni
hemm il-venerazzjoni ta’ Ìesù Sagramentat u
d-devozzjoni lejn Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara.
Tant kienet kbira d-devozzjoni li kellu Don
Bosco lejn Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara, li ddedika
s-santwarju maestuΩ ©ewwa Valdocco lill-Madonna
ta˙t dan it-titolu. F’dan is–santwarju hemm kwadru
titulari grandjuΩ li tpitter mill-artist çelebri
Tommaso Andrea Lorenzone fuq xewqa u kunçett
persunali ta’ Dun Bosco. F’dan il-kwadru, Marija
tidher wieqfa fuq s˙aba bit-tfajjel Ìesù f’dirg˙ajha
u l-Ispirtu is-Santu fuq rasha. Fin-na˙a ta’ fuq tal-
kwadru jidhru qtajja’ ta’ an©li, u iΩjed l-isfel naraw
31Hajja Salesjana
l-appostli u l-evan©elisti. F’naqra spazju bejn il-
figuri tidher il-belt ta’ Turin u l-istess santwarju
bl-isfond tal-g˙olja ta’ Superga. Min meta ©ie
inawgurat dan il-kwadru, din l-imma©ni partikulari
tal-Madonna, inkurunata u bix-xettru f’idejha
l-leminija u Ìesù fuq dirg˙ajha x-xellugija, it-tnejn
libsin ilbies irjali b’kuluri sinifikattivi, baqa’ ji©i
assoçjat ma’ Dun Bosco, u ˙afna jirreferu g˙aliha
b˙ala l-Madonna ta’ Dun Bosco.
L-ewwel kartolina li g˙andna (nru.8.1), turi
pittura tal-artist Crida li ©©ib id-data ta’ 1934. Dan
l-artist, kif rajna iΩjed kmieni f’din is–sensiela, kien
wettaq diversi xog˙lijiet ta’ pittura li g˙andhom
x’jaqsmu ma’ Dun Bosco. F’dan il-kwadru Dun
Bosco jidher g˙arkubbtejh quddiem statwa ta’
Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara. Simili ˙afna ta’ dan il-
kwadru hija pittura o˙ra tal-artist Rollini. Infatti,
fiΩ-Ωewg kwadri l-figura ta’ Dun Bosco hija tista’
tg˙id identika. Id-differenza prinçipali bejniethom
qieg˙da fil-kolonna jew pedestal ta’ ta˙t l-istatwa
u fl-isfond. Fil-kaΩ ta’ Rollini dan t˙alla vojt. MaΩ-
Ωmiem jidher li din it-tema ©iet ripetuta u varjata,
fejn naraw jiΩdiedu an©li, kerubini u tiΩjin ie˙or
madwar is-su©©ett. Il-kartolina ©iet stampata
l-Italja mis-‘Società Editrice Internazionale’
It-tieni santa (nru 8.2) turi pittura tal-
Professur Morgari. Il-kwadru juri lil Dun Bosco
mdawwar biΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ fejn qieg˙ed i˙e©©i©hom
ikunu devoti ta’ Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara. Dan
il-kwadru sabi˙ jinsab fuq l-altar ta’ Dun Bosco
fil-knisja tas-Sagra Familja ©ewwa Ancona. Is-
santa g˙andha kitba bil-lingwa Spanjola u fuq
il-faççata ta’ wara hemm bijografija qasira ta’
Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello, li kienet
g˙adha beata meta ©iet stampata din is-santa.
It-tielet stampa (nru 8.3) hija wa˙da minn
sett ta’ tmienja li ˙ar©u b˙ala rikordju uffiçjali
tal-kanonizzazzjoni ta’ Dun Bosco. Dan kien
forma ta’ ktejjeb b’erba’ folji mwa˙˙lin flimkien
forma ta’ konçertina. Kull folja g˙andha imma©ni
8.1
8.2
8.3
32 Hajja Salesjana
fuq quddiem u fuq wara. Din li qeg˙din naraw turi
l-istandard uffiçjali tal-kanonizzazzjoni ta’ Dun
Bosco. Il-figura ta’ Dun Bosco tidher li hi l-istess
jew simili ˙afna g˙al dik fl-ewwel kartolina li
rajna. Ta˙t is-s˙aba li fuqha jidher Dun Bosco u
Maria AwΩiljatriçi jidher kumpless ta’ bini li wisq
probabbli huwa Valdocco. Dan l-istandard ukoll
huwa xog˙ol l-artist Crida, u sar fl-1934, l-istess
Ωmiem tal-kwadru li rajna fl-ewwel kartolina.(nru
8.1)
Ir-raba’ stampa (nru 8.4) hija santa
(preçiΩament nru 23) mill-famuΩ sett dwar il-
˙ajja ta’ Dun Bosco li dwaru tkellimna fir-raba’
parti ta’ din is-serjè. F’dan l-episodju mill-˙ajja
ta’ Dun Bosco naraw lill-Madre Mazzarello tirçievi
r-regoli tat-Tieni Familja Salesjana, dik tas-
sorijiet, msej˙a ‘Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice’. Dun
Bosco ried jissi©illa l-opra tieg˙u billi jifforma
l-ferg˙a tas-sorijiet Salesjani biex jie˙du ˙sieb
il-bΩonnijiet spiritwali u soçjali taΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ nisa.
(Hawnhekk nixtieq ng˙id li s-sett li g˙andi fil-
kollezzjoni, jonqsu n-numru 8 biex ikun komplut).
Santa ˙elwa ˙afna (nru 8.5) turina xena ©o
©nien bi statwa ta’ Maria AwΩiljatrici ta˙t si©ra
kollha Ωahar tal-frott u mdawra bil-ward. Dun Bosco
jidher qieg˙ed iressaq ©uvnott lejn il-Madonna kif
l-istess qieg˙eda tag˙mel is-soru (Maria Domenica
Mazzarello?) lit-tfajla Ωg˙ira. Din l-imma©ni
tissimbolizza Ωewg frieg˙i tal-Opra Salesjana, dik
tal-qassisin g˙ax-xog˙ol fost il-©uvintur u dik tas-
sorijiet g˙al dak li jirrigwarda lit-tfajliet. Is-santa
tal-epoka tas-snin erbg˙in hija kromolitografija fuq
materjal li jixbah id-drapp. Is-santa tidher li hi parti
minn serjè, g˙ax hija nnumerata.
L-a˙˙ar santa g˙al din it-taqsima, b˙al ta’
qabilha hija ta’ Ωmien l-erbg˙inijiet u stampata
bl-istess proçess. Ix-xena to˙odna ©o bit˙a tipika
tal-Oratorji Salesjani, fejn Ωg˙aΩag˙ jidhru qieg˙din
jilag˙bu u jirrikrejaw ru˙hom. Dun Bosco jidher
mdawwar bi grupp ta’ tfal Ωg˙ar li hu qeg˙ed
jintroduçihom minn çkunithom g˙ad-devozzjoni
lejn il-Madonna G˙ajnuna tal-Insara.
Nota: Mas-soltu materjal minn barra, dan l-a˙˙ar
kelli ukoll donazzjoni ta’ xi santi ming˙and is-Sur
John Formosa, ex-superjur Ìenerali tal-M.U.S.E.U.M.
Grazzi.
8.4
8.5
8.6
33Hajja Salesjana
(ANS – Rome) – At the end of the winter
plenary session of the General Council the
statistics regarding the Salesian Congregation
were presented.
On 31st December 2010, there were 15,763
Salesians in the world. This is 190 less
than in 2009. In detail: 15,161 professed,
481 Novices and 121 bishops and cardinals.
Salesian priests are 10,507, Brothers 1,915.
The number of countries in which the Sons of
Don Bosco are working is unchanged at 130. The
number of Provinces and Vice Provinces has
fallen from 92 to 89, as in 2010 the 5 Provinces
of Argentina became two. In the Regions, the
number of Salesians has fallen. In Italy-Middle
Salesian statistics
East to 2,356 (-78), North Europe to 2,459 (-24),
West Europe to 1,502 (-52), America South Cone
to 1,569 (-71), America North to 2,090 (-44),
whereas it has increased in Africa-Madagascar
to 1,432 (+35), in East Asia-Oceania to 1,438 (+30)
and in South Asia to 2,584 (+12).
The Province of Vietnam has the most
Novices: 38. India, with 10 Provinces, is the
country with most Salesian houses (337 of which
53 have not yet been canonically erected) and
the most Salesians (2,504 of which 2,378 are
professed and 126 are Novices). With regard
to the number of professed, Italy with its 6
Provinces is in the lead with 2,395 to which can
be added 16 Novices.
for 2010
34 Hajja Salesjana
“A good priest is a truly human person who
expresses his love for God in prayer and in
love for people. These gifts are sanctified
and focused through the grace of ordination
when he becomes ‘a man for others’.”
Cardinal Cormac Murphy – O’Connor
• Do I really want to follow Jesus and show
his love to others, especially to the young,
as Don Bosco did?
• Is prayer and my own relationship with God
at the centre of my life?
• Do I want to be honest and ‘real’ before
God and others?
• Do I enjoy the life and company of other
people? Am I approachable?
• Am I concerned for the young, the poor
and vulnerable?
way of life?
Are you
being calledto the
PRIESTHOOD
And to the
SALESIAN
If you believe you have a calling to be a
Salesian priest then contact the voca-
tions director, Fr. Louis Grech SDB at:
Tel. 21 454546 / 21 456251
or e-mail: vocations@salesiansmalta.org
for more information
www.vocations.salesiansmalta.org
Çempel lil Fr Eric Cachia SDB fuq 21 331 447
X’INHI BORÛA TA’ STUDJU?
Hija somma ta’ flus li tg˙inna biex in˙allsu parti mill-formazzjoni
ta’ Ωag˙Ωug˙ li qed i˙ejji ru˙u biex isir saçerdot Salesjan.
KEMM TRID TAGÓTI BIEX TWAQQAF BORÛA TA’ STUDJU?
Kapital ta’ b600
JEÓTIEÌ LI BILFORS TAGÓTI S-SOMMA F’DAQQA?
Le. Wie˙ed jista’ jag˙tiha biçça biçça, tant fix-xhar jew tant fis-sena.
JEÓTIEÌ LI BILFORS IS-SOMMA TKUN MOGÓTIJA MINN WIEÓED BISS?
Le. Jistg˙u jiftehmu flimkien iktar minn persuna wa˙da u kul˙add jag˙ti sehmu.
IΩda min jo˙ro© wa˙du s-somma kollha, ikun fundatur ta’ dik il-BorΩa.
JISTÀ WIEÓED IÓALLI L-BORÛA BÓALA LEGAT WARA MEWTU?
Jistà. U min jag˙mel hekk, jistà jikteb fit-testment: “In˙alli b˙ala legat lis-Salesjani ta’ Don
Bosco, is-somma ta’ g˙all-formazzjoni ta’ Ωag˙Ωug˙ Malti fl-istess Soçjetà.
BorΩa ta’ Studju
Huwa fatt ta’ swied il-qalb li llum ˙afna Ωg˙aΩag˙ huma:
• vittma ta’ min juΩahom biex jistg˙ana
• abbuΩati sesswalment
• uΩati mill-mexxejja tad-droga
• imça˙˙din minn valuri essenzjali fil-˙ajja
Int tistà tg˙inna. Meta qed tag˙mel hekk, int tkun qed tie˙u sehem fil-
˙idma ta’ Don Bosco. Alla biss ikun jaf il-©id li tkun qed tag˙mel.
G˙in il-˙idma Salesjana
Dawk li huma l-iΩjed fil-periklu l-aktar ji˙tie©u g˙ajnuna. Dawk li m’g˙andhomx le˙en
je˙tie©u xi ˙add jiddefendihom. San Ìwann Bosco kien jafu dan. Hu ˙adem f’˙ajtu kollha
g˙aΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙, g˙all-foqra u g˙al dawk li huma l-aktar fil-bΩonn.
Apparitions of Our Lady
NEWSPAPER POST
ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL, ST. JOHN BOSCO STREET, SLIEMA SLM 1925
Our Lady of Medjugorje
Everyday, since June 24
1981, in the small town
of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, the Virgin
Mary has been appearing
to six visionaries: Ivan,
Jakov, Marija, Mirjana,
Vicka, and Ivanka. She
is venerated as “Our
Lady of Peace” because
her message is mostly
about love, peace, and
conversion. She said:
“I have come to tell the
world that God exists: He
is the fullness of life, and
to enjoy this fullness and
peace, you must return to
God.” Many messages
are warnings against
Satan who is prowling
the world for man’s eternal damnation. Mary said
that as God gave David five stones to defeat Goliath,
so our Lord is giving five weapons to defeat Satan,
Namely: Daily Rosary, Fasting on Wednesdays and
Fridays, Daily Bible Reading, Monthly Confession,
and Holy Communion. Presently, the Church
permits pilgrimages to Medjugorje, as long as they
are conducted privately and are not regarded as an
authentication of the apparitions.
