Few days before the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, a beautiful evening of togetherness took place at Don Bosco Formation Center, Lawaan Talisay. It was a gathering dubbed by Fr. Amelito Racelis, DBFC Rector, as “The First and Last Encounter.” “First” refers to the aspirants who are still on their initial formation; “Last” obviously allude to the students of theology who are at the last year of their initial formation. It took an IEC for such a unique encounter to happen in Cebu.
The occasion was also graced by the presence of Archbishop Dominic Jala, SDB, DD the Archbishop of Shillong, India who was accompanied by his personal secretary, Fr. Raphael also a Salesian. Both are in Cebu also to attend the IEC. The providential dinner was spiced by smiles and friendship, storytelling and inspiring songs. The aspirants rendered a guitar instrumental and a medley song number. Not to be outdone with, the students of theology also presented two well-rehearsed items. The evening was a wonderful expression of salesian hospitality and family spirit.
The students of theology are in Cebu to join the Theological Symposium which runs from January 20-22. Immediately after, they will also participate in the main event of the IEC which begins on 24th of January. As if by coincidence, the Papal Legate sent by Pope Francis to represent him is the Salesian Archbishop of Yangon in the person of Charles Maung Cardinal Bo, SDB, DD. He will conclude the 51st IEC with the Statio Orbis on January 31, the feast of St. John Bosco.
Several Salesians have already arrived for the event. One of the speakers of the Theological Symposium is Fr. Francis Moloney, SDB an expert in Johannine Theology who recently wrote a book “A Body Broken for a Broken People” which discusses about divorce, remarriage and the Eucharist. A Team of Salesians will also facilitate one of the Concurrent Sessions in the afternoon of the Symposium headed by Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB. His team will facilitate the topic: “The Eucharist in the Church’s Dialogue with the Youth.”
The enthralling evening was punctuated by the goodnight of Archbishop Dominic. He expressed his pleasure to experience such a great surprise of breaking bread together and sharing a wonderful family meal. Somehow, the gathering was already a prelude of the Eucharist which the People of God are invited to share together as a family. This truly makes it an evening to remember.
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