By Cl. Nathan Petate, SDB & Prenov. Paulo Miguel Calderon

Canlubang, the Philippines, 6 November, 2017 -- The Salesians of Don Bosco of the Philippine North Province (FIN) gathered last 4 November, Saturday, to celebrate a Eucharistic Celebration for the deceased confreres in the Diocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Canlubang.

Fr. Vaclav Clement, regional superior of East Asia Oceania, presided the Mass, along with Fr. Paul Bicomong, SDB, provincial superior of FIN and Fr. Ditto Gueco, SDB, vice provincial, together with some 30 priests as concelebrants.

The aspirants and prenovices, and Salesians in their initial formation animated the Holy Mass as choir and in-charge of the liturgy.

The final hymn “O Cor Jesu Sacratissimum” echoed inside the shrine, a hymn which all communities usually sing as a chorus for their humble desire to be faithful in their Salesian vocation. After the Mass, they solemnly proceeded to the mausoleum despite the drizzle. They blessed the tombs of each deceased confrere and prayed the rosary dedicated for their souls and for their loved ones.

The Pre-novitiate seminary welcomed them with their offering of “brunch” (breakfast and lunch) for everyone. The refectory of the seminary again was filled with Salesians, which for others was nostalgic since they spent their first years of their formation experience there. But above all, the joy filled the place, remembering that this short gathering of a bigger family in Christ makes the Salesians happy.

A Salesian priest shared to his fellow Salesians that during the visit, he remembered his experiences with them and prayerfully kneeled and cried to them, “What can I still do while I am still living?” Yes, the event helped the pilgrims especially the living Salesians to ask themselves “what can they still do,” what can be done to worth a death like those who have gone ahead of them.

Most of the Salesians from different communities and members of the Salesian Family, and even young people who were present described the event as one of the most moving realities of the strenna of this year “We are a family.”

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