austraLasia #2779
Salesian Family and seminarian involvement in DB Casket Pilgrimare, FIN
MANILA: 4 Jan 2011 -- Here below you could catch up with some snippets, really, of reports on the DB Casket pilgrimage as it makes its way through the North Philippines (FIN) Province. These reports are largely the work of the 'Juventus' (nothing to do with a certain European football team) youth group which is active throughout the province and to whom the task of documenting the visit has been given, at least for starters, then it may be polished up a little further down the track.
The Casket has made its way into some interesting areas, including flooded Legazpi, but now finds itself in and around the main urban areas. The coverage in Canlubang, where it is currently, involves various members of the Salesian Family.
The students of Mary Help of Christians School run by the FMA provided some front act performance with their Banda Kawayan (Bamboo band) and drums and lyres. The Salesian Cooperators have been visible in the motorcade. The brothers in the postnovitiate, clad in white cassocks, are guiding the pilgrims. Seminarians are functioning as ushers and making sure the queue is orderly. The Juventus team, tasked with documenting it all, ran coverage using the db relic twitter account (http://twitter.com/dbrelic).
One of the attractions of the visit to Canlubang has been the replica of the Becchi House. The façade of Don Bosco’s birthplace drew the attention of young and old as did the statues of Mamma Margaret and Don Bosco beckoning to pilgrims, welcoming them inside.
For anyone who has been to Colle DB and seen the real thing, something along those lines has been re-created, but 'jazzed up' somewhat. Inside the house, is an exhibit featuring DB's three loves three loves: Eucharist, Mary and the Church. In the Eucharist section, there are photos featuring the original vestments worn by Don Bosco. It also houses various churches built by Don Bosco himself A stampita (holy picture in filipino terms) bearing an authentic dedication of Don Bosco is one of the main attractions of the exhibit.
Computer terminals dot the area where individuals can read the life of Don Bosco via a flash presentation. The files are also shared with those who wish.
The seminarians also set up a souvenir booth where individuals could buy key chains, lanyards and other Don Bosco items. Booklets about the saint are being distributed free of charge. InsideOut, the official publication of the Don Bosco Seminary, released a special issue in keeping with the visit.
Currently, the young people have converged on the gym at Don Bosco College for a 'Youth Jam'. Mass is being celebrated in the Shrine sponsored by the FMA communities in Canlubang. Students from both public and private institutions have come for the event. The program features the home-grown young talents of these schools.
Tonight, a Taize prayer service will take place organized by the Don Bosco Seminary.
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Some Juventus reports (unmodified):
DB at the Cathedral of San Pablo
JM Jose, Juventus Group
SAN PABLO CITY--Liceo de San Pablo was fortunate to have hosted the Diocesan Youth Day (DYD) on January 2-3 2011 where it gathered different young people from the four ecclesiastical districts of the diocese and registered with the San Pablo Youth Commission (SPYC), headed by Fr. Reginald Mamaril.
The event did not just unify the whole youth of the diocese, but also an affair to know more about the Saint of the Young—St. John Bosco. After the series of animation dances led by the youth from Vicariate of St. John the Baptist, they resumed with the open forum about the Year of the Youth, as it was attended by no less than Most Rev. Leo Drona, SDB, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo, Fr. Jose Favie Faldas, SDB, Head of Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry, Fr. Noel Osial, SDB, Head of Salesian Commission on Social Communication, and Fr. Reginald Mamaril.
It was also during the event when SPYC announced the newly installed SPYC Council and representatives from the different vicariates of Laguna. It was not only a day of knowing St. John Bosco but also an affair of intensifying the role of the youth as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced the Year of the Youth from December 16, 2010- December 16, 2011 and the 25th Year of Episcopal Commission on Youth.
DYD ended with the Closing Mass and Send-off rites led by Most Rev. Leo Drona, SDB, DD and the relic was off to its next pilgrimage.
DB Relic @ Calauan, Laguna
JM Jose, Juventus Group
CALAUAN, LAGUNA—The newest frontier of the Salesians in the Northern Philippine Province (FIN) was very privileged to have the relic of St. John Bosco, even for a short while.
The people of Southville 7 in Calauan gratefully welcomed the Father and Teacher of Youth as it passed the road towards the central venue where the relic will be laid for two to three hours before transporting to Don Bosco College-Canlubang.
Fr. Danilo Torres, SDB, the Vice Provincial of the Philippine North Province, led the Paraliturgical rites as he was assisted by Fr. Salvador Pablo, SDB and Fr. Patrick Villasanta, SDB, Salesian priests assigned at Calauan.
The event was followed by the public veneration with the people of Southville 7, with some distinguished guests from the Local Government of Calauan. A simple banquet was held after the public veneration. Children came to receive simple gifts from the organizers and benefactors.
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