By Ms. Lucia

Hong Kong, 16 August 2016 -- In this day, the Salesian Family celebrates the birth of St. John Bosco. More than 600 members of the family and the faithful came to share this joyful moment. At the same time we celebrated also the jubilee of several SDB, FMA and SAL, and bore witness to the perpetual profession of Sc. Anthony Pun Ming-chi.

The celebration was divided into three parts. In the opening ceremony entitled with “Heaven of the Teenagers”, we enjoyed a video clip on “the Father of Oratory – St. Philip Neri”. Fr. Mattew Chan highlighted that this year is the 175th anniversary ceremony of Oratory in Valdocco. The source of its spirit comes from the optimism and joy introduced by St. Philip Neri, who has been able to live out such a spirit in the witness of faith and in the accompaniment to the youth on the path of holiness.

What followed was the interview session of the jubilee of several Salesians. The Provincial Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti mentioned that the Salesian Oratories have different expression and development during different era. However, the love offered by Don Bosco for young people is unchanged. Fr. Antonio Leung shared that God has entrusted important mission in every young people. The Kingdom of God will appear once they regain confidence in Him and decide to follow Him. He added that for the Preventive System, “Religion” is the most fundamental element. Based on it, one knows how to educate young people with “Reason”, and then put it into concrete action through “Loving kindness”. Fr. Alphonsus Cheng frankly highlighted that coming to the 50th year of religious life was not easy after many difficulties in life. However we can go ahead if we have same objective and mission of life, and we follow Jesus radically. He made an appeal for the young people to be steadfast in faith and don’t doubt the calling of God. Finally, Sc. Anthony Pun concluded that there are four most attractive elements of the Salesian vocation: Jesus, has connection with Don Bosco, distinguished love for the young people and good examples of the Salesians. He hoped to become Don Bosco the second, working for God and for the young people.

Afterwards, three Salesian youth who had participated in the 31th World Youth Day shared their experiences and reflection on the pilgrimage in Poland and the Holy Places of Don Bosco. A very impressive experience in the World Youth Day was the adoration to the Blessed Sacrament together with immense number of young people coming from different countries with different languages. Their encounter with the Polish youth strong in faith has definitely strengthened on one hand their learning in being a good Christian and on the other hand the fruit of Don Bosco’s charism, and enkindled the merciful heart of Jesus in their heart. The sharing session ended with a song named as “Preferisco paradise” through the lights of all the mobile phones in the venue.

The Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Cardinal Joseph Zen and Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti, the Provincial of the China Province, gave the homily. He highlighted that love is perpetual and forever, if we do not cherish what we possess now, how to ensure that we can embrace those forever? This was the second year after the Bicentenary celebration of the birth of Don Bosco. No matter how weak we are, we have confidence in God and give thanks to His Divine Mercy. The Perpetual profession of Sc. Anthony Pun Ming-chi Baptist is a good sign of vocation.” Sc. Anthony Pun Ming-chi in the end highlighted that his favorite young people are the one who lead him to discover his vocation. Besides, we also celebrated for the Pearl Jubilee Anniversary of Priesthood Ordination of Fr. Gaetano Nicosia, who is 101 years of age.

During the fraternal supper, Fr. Mattew Chan together with the Cooperator Salesians shared with us his joy and sang a song in return. Salesian Youth and several young salesian presented a dance named as “the praises of love” which spread the love of God to others. All the performances during the dinner showed very much the gratitude to Don Bosco and the congregation. Afterwards, the Don Bosco Prize was presented to the outstanding students as a kind of encouragement to award their all-round performance and especially their academic performance and social service. In the concluding prayer, Fr. Provincial encouraged all to imitate those who celebrated their jubilee celebration, to follow their heart of Jesus, to live out the Salesian mission, and to lead brothers and sisters to holiness.

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