austraLasia 928
RM glad to be beginning visit to Japan on Feast of Don Rua
CHOFU-TOKYO: 29th November '04 -- 'Let's ask Blessed Don Rua for the grace to learn at the school of Don Bosco, as he did'. So began the Rector Major's four day visit to Japan, the final touch down in his visit of animation and encouragement to five nations in the East Asia-Oceania region.
Meeting members of the Provincial Council, and Rectors at Chofu, the Salesian Seminary and resting place of the Venerable Mons. Vincent Cimatti, the Rector Major gave thanks for the grace of the confreres' vocations, 'the most precious thing we have after Don Bosco himself.' He then reflected on the role that rectors play in caring for the community, where each confrere finds his place.
As to the question of the Salesian's place in Japan's hi-tech, self-sufficient culture,' it lies', he reflected, 'in the primacy we give to God. Re-read the resolutions Don Bosco made on his ordination day', Fr Chávez said. ´We see a personal life project there.' Primacy of God, Lectio divina, daily examen of conscience...in here lies our contribution to Japanese society, and they are keys to life given us by GC25, 'a truly prophetic General Chapter'.
GC25 also asked us to rebuild the life of communion in deep family spirit, modelled on the first Christian community of the Acts of the Apostles. 'You know', he said, 'the Congregation was living a dilemma - to live and work together or to live the spirit of communion! 'Sazi di comunità, affamati di comunione' [stuffed full with community yet hungry for communion]. Other Institutes were living the same dilemma; the Salesian response is not one or the other. In the recent RAI production on Don Bosco we find a beautiful image when Mamma Margherita arrives at the Oratory and asks 'what should I do here?'; Don Bosco responds: 'You do the same as you did for me when I was young!'. If we begin from our communities, Don Bosco's spirit of Valdocco is alive.
GC25, finally, asked us to return to the young - in the playground. They are not our excuse'but our motivation. 'The more I live the more I am convinced of what Don Bosco said: the young do not need many things, just someone who accompanies them in their growth to maturity in life'.
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'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com 'Laico' is a loaded word in secular society, as Spain has discovered (its current president describes the Spanish constitution as 'laico' rather than 'non-confessionale'). How do we employ the word 'lay' in Salesian discourse? for further comment cf. Lexisdb
