austraLasia 1047
Japan: Second Salesian Spirituality Seminar focuses on Oratory and biblical themes
second session to be offered in Oita region
TOKYO: 23rd February 2005 -- The second Salesian Spirituality Seminar for the Salesian Family in Japan has just concluded. Fr. Michael Shinjiro Urata sdb and Sr. Maria Ko Ha Fong fma were the two main speakers in their respective fields of specialisation.
Fr.Urata, shared his Masters Thesis from UPS; The dynamics of spiritual life in some of Don Bosco's writings compared with what St Francis de Sales indicates in his 'Philothea' (La dinamica della vita spirituale in alcuni scritti biografici di Don Bosco a confronto con quella indicata da San Francesco di Sales nella"Filotea"), explaining contemporary historical studies on Don Bosco. He insisted that what we need most for a better understanding of Salesian Spirituality is to live the spirituality of the Oratory sharing creatively with the young in our various settings . And he introduced "The Memoirs of the Oratory" as a prime and significant source in order to know how Don Bosoc felt, thought and lived.
Sr. Maria Ko shared her biblical expertise to enlighten participants as to how to savour the Word of God and Lectio Divina in an Asian way through a Salesian approach. As she explained, Asians tend to reach the message and meaning of the Bible not as definitions and logic but as images. She introduced Mary our Mother as the Living Bible who comptemplates and lives the word of God and she also shared the wisdom of Lectio Divina through her own witness of life and her deep reflection on the Bible.
More than hundred participants from Salesian sisters, Caritas sisters, Cooperators and Salesians took part in the three day seminar held in Akabane, Tokyo. This year Salesian Sisters were in charge of the seminar and hosted the participants in their Seibi Junior College at Akabane. Young seminarians, novices and postulants from the Salesian Family gathered to brush up on their understanding of Salesian Spirituality and lto learn from the experts.
There will be a re-run of the seminar content in Oita for the Salesian Family in the Kyushu area. This runs from 24th to 26th February.
