The Third Bosconian Youth Encounter (BYE)

By Fr.Prastowo Vincent De Paul, SDB

Blitar, Indonesia, 9 July 2017 -- On July 5th & 6, we, Bosconian from different communities and different Salesian setting of Indonesian delegation was coming together in Blitar and gathering in the Saint Joseph Vocational School of Blitar. Thank God, Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christian for the safe trip of Bostonian from different places and arrive safely. We, Bosconian are happy to meet each one here in Blitar.

We are Family: Happy and Holy like Don Bosco is the main topic of our reflection during our encounter here in Blitar and Surabaya. We really thank God for being encounter each one here in Blitar. This encounter, first of all, is the moment of grace for us. It is really the moments of grace because we have the opportunity of experiencing God’s love for each one of us through our meeting, praying, sharing, and happy together. We can share our happiness and sorrow together as a Bostonian. We learned how to strengthen ourself, strengthen each one as one big family. After sharing and praying together, also strengthen each other in order to be HAPPY and HOLY LIKE Don Bosco. We pray also for each other in order to be good Bostonian, happy and holy like Don Bosco and commit ourselves to prophets for our fellow young people. May the God Lord protects and send us. Thanks to Fr.Vincentius Prastowo, SDB who during this day helped us to deepen our Bostonian spirit, our creativity, and our love for the nature based on “Laudato Si”, Encyclical of Pope Francis.

On Jul 7th, we proceed to Surabaya passing through, “Batu Secret Zoo”, is a zoo in which we can see different types of animals and continue our reflect on the beauty of nature which was started in Blitar with Don Prastowo and thanks God for his merciful love for through nature. Then, we continue our travel to Surabaya. Arriving in Surabaya and gather in the School Compound of Saint Michael Junior High School of Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

On the next July 8, we continue our prayer, sharing, other educative activities together in order to strengthen our Bostonian spirit: happy, holy, like Don Bosco. Here are all invited to have a tour around Surabaya city through games which were organized by the Bosnian from Surabaya. Even though a day full of activities which make us a little tired, but by Bostonian spirit participates in all activities by joy and optimism. Thank God we like to be happy holy like Don Bosco. We pray that Don Bosco and Mother Mary Help of Christ help us to bring happiness and holiness to our fellow young people. We conclude our day regard activities at about 10 PM.

On the next day, July nine, the whole morning we prepare ourselves for concluding Eucharist and Cultural night. Our Holy Eucharist started at 5 pm presided by Fr.Lino Belo, SDB and concelebrated by all other Salesian, among them Fr. Ferdinandus Reo, SDB, vice-parish priest of Saint Michael Parish of Surabaya, Fr. Benedictus Sunardjoko, SDB, Rector of the Community of Salesian Don Bosco Blitar, and Fr.Vincentius Prastowo, SDB, youth ministry delegate of Indonesia Delegation.

Fr. Lino Belo on his homily thanks God for the success of the Third Bosconian Youth Encounter in Blitar-Surabaya, thanks God for the Salesian of Saint Michael Parish of Surabaya, Fr. Noel Villafuerte, who was not present because of the important task in Jakarta preaching the annual retreat for the Salesian of Indonesia and Timor (some) from June 25th – July 1st and from July 9th up to July 15 for the second group, Fr. Ferdinandus and all the parishioner who together with the Surabaya Bosconian prepares this event of encounter. Fr. Lino also thanks God for all the Salesian and Daughters of Mary help of Christian, for their supporting and being with us in this event. Fr. Lino also thanks God for all of all Bosconian from the different Salesian setting of Indonesia, recommended us all be happy, holy like Don Bosco.

Hoping that what we live during this day in Blitar and Surabaya, we will bring to our fellow young people in our different place and time. Bosconian, happy and holy like Don Bosco. Let us bring this happiness to others. Bosconian, see you all again in Sumba, forth Bosconian Youth Encounter.

---

---