YANGON: 13th August -- Just a week ago now, the new Vice-Province of Myanmar (MYM is the new Salesian province code) was inaugurated and the provincial, Fr. Joachim Ye Maung installed.  Fr. Francis Alencherry, himself a former provincial of what was then the Kolkotta province plus Myanmar, and now General Councillor for the Missions, was the representative of the Rector Major for the celebrations which took place on the Feast of the Transfiguration.

 

Prior to the day of inauguration, Fr. Alencherry met with all the confreres resident in the new vice province, including the novices, and led the assembly to consider the road ahead for MYM as a provincial entity in its own right.  He announced the members of the new provincial council and helped the assembly identify four priorities which will become part of the new province's mission statement and action into the future.

 

The Archbishop of Mandalay, Paul Grawng, and the Archbishop of Yangon, Charles Bo SDB, concelebrated at the Eucharist of inauguration at Nazareth Aspirantate, Anisakan, early on the morning of 6th.  The Archbishop of Mandalay was the main celebrant.  Fr. Alencherry read out the decree which declared Myanmar to be  vice province.  He also preached the homily for the occasion.

 

Later in the day the Salesians played a friendly game of soccer, and Archbishop Bo was the star attraction and first goal-scorer.  That evening, celebrations continued with entertainment provided by younger confreres and parishioners.  Fr. John Berger, provincial of the Kolkotta province and hence formerly provincial also of Myanmar, provided inspiration for the new vice province by linking its new name (Province of Mary Help of Christians) with its new code, MYM:  Mary Your Mother, he said simply.  And it would seem true, as older members of the new province reflected that 'not a single brick was laid without the help of Mary'. (Salesian Province codes, of course, usually designate the nation and provincial location.  In Myanmar's case the code designates just the nation).

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