austraLasia #2765
"...perhaps with the hope that God’s grace could be mediated by this new technology"
VICTORIAS: December 7, 2010 -- The main story continues to be the DB Casket in Southern Philippines, but a chance line in the first paragraph of our correspondent's account, along with a vigorous discussion by some theology students elsewhere in the world (but including one from FIS Province) on post-modern contemporary 'icons' and whether they can channel God's grace - or block it, gave some focus to this particular part of Don Bosco's visit, at least for some readers. But back to the main story....
"St. John Bosco’s relic had a rousing welcome from the residents of Victorias Milling Company. Students from private and public schools lined the streets waving flaglets and shouting 'welcome'! The whole day had moments of festivity and veneration. During prayer moments, people lit candles and stood in silence. Photographing was the hardest to control. People wanted to take pictures not only for souvenirs but to send to their loved ones, perhaps with the hope that God’s grace could be mediated by this new technology. Boys took photos to send to their parents who were at work, and parents sent photos to friends and children who could not come.
The students and alumni of Don Bosco Technical Institute held a cultural show entitled “Thank you Don Bosco” to signify that the saint continues to be alive in their midst. The veneration by students and visitors continued the whole night.
On the morning of the 7th the Relic took a long detour going to the Parish of St. Joseph. Municipal workers requested the day before to have the relic pass by their establishment. They got their wish. The police force joined in the short impromptu prayer service. From there they requested a procession which took but a minute to decide, considering that normally a permit is needed to disrupt the traffic flow. The chief of police who was there gave the exception and asked his officers to accompany St John Bosco to the parish church of Our Lady of Victory, passing by the main road in the middle of business establishments where people courteously stepped out to wave and make a sign of the cross.
Another procession took place just a few metres away from St. Joseph parish. This time not only children came to meet the saint. Factory workers from the milling station went out still wearing their hard hats and prayerfully waved at the passing relic. Fr Joemar Bacucang, SDB led his parishioners in welcoming St John Bosco. In a moving homily, he mentioned how the family of Don Bosco has grown in numbers. But more important, those who have come to pray to him must be moved to imitate his example of living holy lives that is visibly seen in how we bring God’s love to others".
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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 queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
"...perhaps with the hope that God’s grace could be mediated by this new technology"
VICTORIAS: December 7, 2010 -- The main story continues to be the DB Casket in Southern Philippines, but a chance line in the first paragraph of our correspondent's account, along with a vigorous discussion by some theology students elsewhere in the world (but including one from FIS Province) on post-modern contemporary 'icons' and whether they can channel God's grace - or block it, gave some focus to this particular part of Don Bosco's visit, at least for some readers. But back to the main story....
"St. John Bosco’s relic had a rousing welcome from the residents of Victorias Milling Company. Students from private and public schools lined the streets waving flaglets and shouting 'welcome'! The whole day had moments of festivity and veneration. During prayer moments, people lit candles and stood in silence. Photographing was the hardest to control. People wanted to take pictures not only for souvenirs but to send to their loved ones, perhaps with the hope that God’s grace could be mediated by this new technology. Boys took photos to send to their parents who were at work, and parents sent photos to friends and children who could not come.
The students and alumni of Don Bosco Technical Institute held a cultural show entitled “Thank you Don Bosco” to signify that the saint continues to be alive in their midst. The veneration by students and visitors continued the whole night.
On the morning of the 7th the Relic took a long detour going to the Parish of St. Joseph. Municipal workers requested the day before to have the relic pass by their establishment. They got their wish. The police force joined in the short impromptu prayer service. From there they requested a procession which took but a minute to decide, considering that normally a permit is needed to disrupt the traffic flow. The chief of police who was there gave the exception and asked his officers to accompany St John Bosco to the parish church of Our Lady of Victory, passing by the main road in the middle of business establishments where people courteously stepped out to wave and make a sign of the cross.
Another procession took place just a few metres away from St. Joseph parish. This time not only children came to meet the saint. Factory workers from the milling station went out still wearing their hard hats and prayerfully waved at the passing relic. Fr Joemar Bacucang, SDB led his parishioners in welcoming St John Bosco. In a moving homily, he mentioned how the family of Don Bosco has grown in numbers. But more important, those who have come to pray to him must be moved to imitate his example of living holy lives that is visibly seen in how we bring God’s love to others".
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
