Salesian Priest Gathering in China province

By Fr. Carlos Cheung, SDB

Hong Kong, 28 December, 2017 -- Reflecting on the successful experience of the “Salesian Brother Day” in the past years, the members of the Ongoing Formation Meeting suggested that the Provincial convene all Salesian priests in the province to participate in a “Salesian Priest Day”.

Acting upon this good suggestion, the provincial Fr. Lanfranco invited the youngest priests (quiquenials) to organize the Salesian Priest Day for the first time in China province. The purpose of the “Salesian Priest Day” is to revisit the meaning of Salesian priestly vocations, to share pastoral experiences and to strengthen that “mutual sacramental brotherhood” that unites each priest to all other priests according to the teaching of Vatican II (PO 8).

The theme of this “Salesian Priest Day” is: “How can we improve our homilies during the Holy Mass?” The main speaker Fr. Domingos Leung introduced the new “Homiletic Directory” issued by the Holy See’s congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2015. Fr. Leung highlighted different chapters of the document in particular the very nature of homily which is neither sharing of personal witness, catechism or scriptural exegesis but leading faithful to adore and pray during Holy Mass, therefore sufficient preparation through Lectio Divina and to aware the need of different type of audience is much needed. Meanwhile, Domingos also explained the setting of lectionary corresponding Catechism (CCC), and the theme of each Sunday readings. After which, all Salesian priest are invited to share their homiletic experience in the way how they prepare their homily and also their joy, sorrow when delivering a homily.

In the Holy Mass presided by the provincial Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti SDB, he reminded himself as if he also encouraged all priest to make the homily with “3S”: short, sharp and shock. He believed the Feast of St. John the Evangelist that the mass is celebrating is echoing the purpose of “Salesian Priest Day” for the mutual sacramental brotherhood as St. John is also a priest embracing celibate life. He hopes all priest Salesians would pattern St. John’s imitation with Christ which is the first step to prepare a good homily.

After lunch, some priest Salesians joined a slow walk and rest to enjoy the beauty of a Japanese Bonsai Garden in Chi Lin Nunnery, a Buddhist authentic replica built in the traditional way entirely without nails near Diamond Hill MTR station.

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