austraLasia 1453
Taiwan: "the best wine comes last", and one up for Mary!
TAINAN: 17th February 2006 -- Today, 17th February had more than one Gospel feel about it in Taiwan as the Rector Major arrived (midday) and spoke first of all to the entire Salesian cohort on the island, from communities in Taipei, Pintung and Tainan. The group was joined by the latest arrival, Fr Eloy (Bolivian, who up until now has been studying English in Ireland. Now he starts on Chinese!) and a Taiwanese prenovice. Fr. Chávez did say that it was a case of leaving "the best wine till last"; he was also unknowingly, for a moment or two, "broadcasting from the rooftops" when a microphone got left on! The 1800 students listening could only have been impressed. Perhaps a new method for seeking vocations has been found by one of those coincidences, like the way dynamite was discovered!
Taiwan is the youngest Salesian presence in the China province (1963), but the Rector Major wasn't talking about 'young wine'; rather he was referring to the matured experience he has now had of China, taking it all in over this week, and he has, as we all know, moved around considerably in that time."The more I come to know the province the more I appreciate it", he told them.
He gave much of his time to the confreres in interaction, allowing good opportunity for question and answer. One of the provocative questions, in the best sense of 'provocative', came from a confrere who wondered if there had been sufficient pressure put on the Church Universal concerning a more public ecclesial recognition of Mary Help of Christians. As the questioner pointed out, Mary under this title does not actually feature in the Roman universal calendar. It was a point well made, the RM conceded, noting that it is, even from his own experience, one of the most widespread Marian devotions in the worldwide Church. Spain alone has 50,000 ADMA members (Association of Clients of Mary Help of Christians, founded by Don Bosco himself). It is a founding trait of the Salesian charism, he pointed out. Another question was on the recent 'tour' of relics of St. Dominic Savio.....the question was not limited to the relics of the young Saint, and the RM responded by saying he had come to realise just how effective a 'visit' of this kind would be to these parts (meaning Asia).
Later, the RM met with the 1800 members of the Tainan coed. Technical School. The Pintung 'Boys Town' group of 25 were included for the day. He reminded them they have been 'dreamed of' by Don Bosco and gave them a simple formula for life: seek the good, the true, the beautiful in your personal life; believe in being more human, honest citizens and committed to good; remember that love is the only power that overcomes death. Help the poor and grow in solidarity.
Later again he met with the Salesian Family, some 200 of them. Tainan's Bishop Bosco (Salesian by name!) was there too. The Rector Major used the occasion to reflect on Mexico's situation where Salesians were expelled twice. After beginning three times, look what they have achieved now. This gave him some appreciation of the situation for the China province. A mass followed, and a dinner. Perhaps more of that another time to wind up this extended coverage of the Rector Major's visit to China Province.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
Taiwan: "the best wine comes last", and one up for Mary!
TAINAN: 17th February 2006 -- Today, 17th February had more than one Gospel feel about it in Taiwan as the Rector Major arrived (midday) and spoke first of all to the entire Salesian cohort on the island, from communities in Taipei, Pintung and Tainan. The group was joined by the latest arrival, Fr Eloy (Bolivian, who up until now has been studying English in Ireland. Now he starts on Chinese!) and a Taiwanese prenovice. Fr. Chávez did say that it was a case of leaving "the best wine till last"; he was also unknowingly, for a moment or two, "broadcasting from the rooftops" when a microphone got left on! The 1800 students listening could only have been impressed. Perhaps a new method for seeking vocations has been found by one of those coincidences, like the way dynamite was discovered!
Taiwan is the youngest Salesian presence in the China province (1963), but the Rector Major wasn't talking about 'young wine'; rather he was referring to the matured experience he has now had of China, taking it all in over this week, and he has, as we all know, moved around considerably in that time."The more I come to know the province the more I appreciate it", he told them.
He gave much of his time to the confreres in interaction, allowing good opportunity for question and answer. One of the provocative questions, in the best sense of 'provocative', came from a confrere who wondered if there had been sufficient pressure put on the Church Universal concerning a more public ecclesial recognition of Mary Help of Christians. As the questioner pointed out, Mary under this title does not actually feature in the Roman universal calendar. It was a point well made, the RM conceded, noting that it is, even from his own experience, one of the most widespread Marian devotions in the worldwide Church. Spain alone has 50,000 ADMA members (Association of Clients of Mary Help of Christians, founded by Don Bosco himself). It is a founding trait of the Salesian charism, he pointed out. Another question was on the recent 'tour' of relics of St. Dominic Savio.....the question was not limited to the relics of the young Saint, and the RM responded by saying he had come to realise just how effective a 'visit' of this kind would be to these parts (meaning Asia).
Later, the RM met with the 1800 members of the Tainan coed. Technical School. The Pintung 'Boys Town' group of 25 were included for the day. He reminded them they have been 'dreamed of' by Don Bosco and gave them a simple formula for life: seek the good, the true, the beautiful in your personal life; believe in being more human, honest citizens and committed to good; remember that love is the only power that overcomes death. Help the poor and grow in solidarity.
Later again he met with the Salesian Family, some 200 of them. Tainan's Bishop Bosco (Salesian by name!) was there too. The Rector Major used the occasion to reflect on Mexico's situation where Salesians were expelled twice. After beginning three times, look what they have achieved now. This gave him some appreciation of the situation for the China province. A mass followed, and a dinner. Perhaps more of that another time to wind up this extended coverage of the Rector Major's visit to China Province.
__________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
