austraLasia 1616
Korean SDB pilgrims in Rome - RM's Good Night
ROME: 26th July 2006 -- The first group of Korean Salesians, led by their Vice Provincial Fr Henry Bonetti, have arrived in Rome to get in touch with their Christian and Salesian roots. The group comprises two Brothers and five Priests, and their visit is part of a decision made at the 2004 Provincial Chapter to facilitate contact with the Salesian holy places after 15 years of profession. A highlight of the Rome visit was supper and a Good Night from the Rector Major.
The stay in Italy began on 23rd, the day they met Fr Chávez in Rome (Pisana). The tour will conclude on 6th August after visiting Piedmont where they will spend most of their time. They are also being accompanied by Fr Paolo Na, a recent Korean graduate from the Salesian Studies and spirituality course at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome.
For two of the confreres, it is their first trip to Europe. Three of them had studied at the UPS in the past. Another two have passed through briefly on their way to the World Youth Day. At the Generalte they stopped for supper, the by now obligatory photo with the Rector Major and 'Don Bosco', the relatively new life-sized bronze statue of the Founder in the entrance hall.
Fr Chávez welcomed the group to Italy and expressed his joy that groups such as this come to be in touch with their Salesian roots. He remarked that it was precisely Italian, Spanish, French, Belgian (to name some) who loved Don Bosco so much, who planted the charism in places such as Korea years ago. Despite the fact that the Congregation has now spread to 130 nations, the sense of charismatic unity and fellowship is very strong, thanks to the Don Bosco-centred life of many confreres.
He went on to say that we recognise in Don Bosco one of the most complete of the saints, one of the most zealous. He remarked that he has just finished reading the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, an amazing story. He notes that Ignatius began the Jesuits with well-prepared graduates from the Sorbonne. Don Bosco on the other hand began with a bunch of teenagers. he believed in them, formed them, to the point where one became his successor, another a cardinal, and another (who could well have been a Salesian had he lived) the youngest non-martyr saint in the Church. At the basis of his multiple activity for God and Church was his zeal.
It became the Rector Major's wish, then, for this group of Korean Salesians, that they discover Don Bosco's deepest convictions as part of this pilgrimage, especially the conviction of giving his life for the young, believing in them, believing in the impact of good education (values, and the emotional, intellectual, relational dimensions). He asked them to believe in the need to call many more people to this youth-centred movement.
In Piedmont, the very stones and walls whisper to you of Don Bosco....
___________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com Try out BoscoWiki to be interactive. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm A separate service entirely is called F/OSSERVATORE to help us keep abreast of trends in the digital world.
Korean SDB pilgrims in Rome - RM's Good Night
ROME: 26th July 2006 -- The first group of Korean Salesians, led by their Vice Provincial Fr Henry Bonetti, have arrived in Rome to get in touch with their Christian and Salesian roots. The group comprises two Brothers and five Priests, and their visit is part of a decision made at the 2004 Provincial Chapter to facilitate contact with the Salesian holy places after 15 years of profession. A highlight of the Rome visit was supper and a Good Night from the Rector Major.
The stay in Italy began on 23rd, the day they met Fr Chávez in Rome (Pisana). The tour will conclude on 6th August after visiting Piedmont where they will spend most of their time. They are also being accompanied by Fr Paolo Na, a recent Korean graduate from the Salesian Studies and spirituality course at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome.
For two of the confreres, it is their first trip to Europe. Three of them had studied at the UPS in the past. Another two have passed through briefly on their way to the World Youth Day. At the Generalte they stopped for supper, the by now obligatory photo with the Rector Major and 'Don Bosco', the relatively new life-sized bronze statue of the Founder in the entrance hall.
Fr Chávez welcomed the group to Italy and expressed his joy that groups such as this come to be in touch with their Salesian roots. He remarked that it was precisely Italian, Spanish, French, Belgian (to name some) who loved Don Bosco so much, who planted the charism in places such as Korea years ago. Despite the fact that the Congregation has now spread to 130 nations, the sense of charismatic unity and fellowship is very strong, thanks to the Don Bosco-centred life of many confreres.
He went on to say that we recognise in Don Bosco one of the most complete of the saints, one of the most zealous. He remarked that he has just finished reading the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, an amazing story. He notes that Ignatius began the Jesuits with well-prepared graduates from the Sorbonne. Don Bosco on the other hand began with a bunch of teenagers. he believed in them, formed them, to the point where one became his successor, another a cardinal, and another (who could well have been a Salesian had he lived) the youngest non-martyr saint in the Church. At the basis of his multiple activity for God and Church was his zeal.
It became the Rector Major's wish, then, for this group of Korean Salesians, that they discover Don Bosco's deepest convictions as part of this pilgrimage, especially the conviction of giving his life for the young, believing in them, believing in the impact of good education (values, and the emotional, intellectual, relational dimensions). He asked them to believe in the need to call many more people to this youth-centred movement.
In Piedmont, the very stones and walls whisper to you of Don Bosco....
___________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com Try out BoscoWiki to be interactive. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm A separate service entirely is called F/OSSERVATORE to help us keep abreast of trends in the digital world.
