Yangon, Myanmar, 19 August 2016 -- With the final encounter of Fr. Charles Saw and his Provincial council with the visitor Fr. Klement on August 16th was concluded the third extraordinary visitation of our Vice-province in Yangon provincial house. During the 24 days of visitation the EAO regional councilor was able to listen to all confreres living in Myanmar who are living in 11 distinct Salesian presences in five dioceses (Yangon, Mandalay, Kalay Myo, Myitkyina and Lashio). His good night talks were shared also with more than 500 youth living in our 8 boarding houses, had encounter with three parish council members (Anisakan, Thibaw and Yangon) and encountered our candidates and young confreres: 116 students in Nazareth House, 11 prenovices, 5 novices, 11 post-novices, 13 practical trainees and 3 students of theology; and next week he will meet another 10 confreres in Manila.
In the rectors meeting on Sunday, August 14th in Anisakan the Visitor shared a draft of his final report (Listen – Interpret – Way Forward) about the life and mission of the Salesians in Myanmar. His report gives thanks and highlights the growth of Salesian Charism: constant flow of new vocations (in past 15 years 128 young men started the novitiate); establishment of new education works beyond the five parishes - especially vocation training centers (Mandalay, Myitkyina, Yangon and Kalay), opening the mission for youth at risk (street children, prison apostolate) and constant growth of the communities in numbers and quality of religious life. Together with the main challenges he pointed important strategies in the Way forward, especially focus on the growth of vocation culture, growth in community fraternal life and enhancing the transparency in many aspects of our life. The discernment insights were still deepen with the Provincial council.
During the last supper on August 16 – both Farewell for the Visitor and Birthday of our Provincial Fr. Charles Saw - were present all members of Yangon community, provincial councilors as well small group of Don Bosco Past Pupils, FMA Provincial Sr. Jessica Saldana (CYM - Cambodia and Myanmar) with five FMA directress of all Myanmar communities. At the end the Visitor received a beautiful mosaic of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague made of the precious stones.
Myanmar confreres are already eagerly waiting for the personal visit of the 10th successor of Don Bosco in two month time. As the visitation strengthen a lot our sense of belonging to the worldwide Congregation, we are waiting to share our life and dreams with Fr. Ángel. It would be the third visit of the Rector Major to our country since 1939, this time 38 years after a very short stay of Fr. Vigano in Yangon.
