austraLasia #3070
A humble offering for life
The evening when Don Bosco became a religious
HONG KONG: 14 May 2012 - One and a half years ago, on 8th December 2009, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of St. Francis de Sales. Today, on 14th May, 2012, the formation community in Hong Kong, China Province, commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first profession of the first group Salesians.
On 14th May 1862, standing before Don Bosco, there were 22 young men who had completed their novitiate year and were ready to offer themselves to God. “There we were, squeezed into a small room, without even any benches to sit on, most of us in the prime of life: students of rhetoric, philosophy, theology; a few in sacred orders; the lay members who perhaps could have looked forward to a happy family life. A pleasurable future lay before us all, the world beckoning to us with its promises and allurements. But in the front of us stood a small table with two lighted candles and a crucifix, as if readied for the sacrifice of our hearts, or our very lives. Yes, Jesus was calling us to Himself with His heavenly promises. We were a small flock, nothing in the world’s eyes, unnoticed even by most of the people of the Oratory. Nevertheless these lowly beginnings did not dishearten us; rather, they buoyed us up… 22 of us, besides Don Bosco, who was kneeling by the table on which the crucifix stood, took vows as prescribed by our rules, repeating the formulary, phrase by phrase, as Fr. Rua read it.” (BMVII, p.102)
While the first group of Salesians was making the vows for three years, Don Bosco in his heart made them in perpetuity. “I offered myself in sacrifice to the Lord, ready to bear anything for His greater glory and the welfare of souls, particularly the souls of the young. May the Lord help us to be faithful to our vows… Let us take courage and work with all our hearts. God is a generous master and will amply reward us. Eternity is long enough for us to rest.” (BMVII, p.102-103)
Back to the formation community in Hong Kong, during the morning Mass today:
His Eminence Cardinal Zen, SDB, in his homily, encouraged his fellow confreres, especially those in initial formation, to live out, as the Rector Major proclaimed as the theme of GC27, our witness to radical Gospel values . It was something extraordinary in Don Bosco’s time to make a first profession due to the hostile social atmosphere against the Church. Nowadays, our resolution to live poorly, obediently and chastely still seems ridiculous to a secular world; nevertheless, it is in our faithfulness to the vows that we bear witness to Christ.
The community renewed their profession before the Blessed Sacrament during Vespers. The renewal of profession came at an opportune time, as we are preparing for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco; it allowed us to reflect how God has loved and blessed us and to re-affirm our commitment to God and the salvation of the young.
A humble offering for life
The evening when Don Bosco became a religious
by Anthony Pun sdb
HONG KONG: 14 May 2012 - One and a half years ago, on 8th December 2009, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of St. Francis de Sales. Today, on 14th May, 2012, the formation community in Hong Kong, China Province, commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first profession of the first group Salesians.
On 14th May 1862, standing before Don Bosco, there were 22 young men who had completed their novitiate year and were ready to offer themselves to God. “There we were, squeezed into a small room, without even any benches to sit on, most of us in the prime of life: students of rhetoric, philosophy, theology; a few in sacred orders; the lay members who perhaps could have looked forward to a happy family life. A pleasurable future lay before us all, the world beckoning to us with its promises and allurements. But in the front of us stood a small table with two lighted candles and a crucifix, as if readied for the sacrifice of our hearts, or our very lives. Yes, Jesus was calling us to Himself with His heavenly promises. We were a small flock, nothing in the world’s eyes, unnoticed even by most of the people of the Oratory. Nevertheless these lowly beginnings did not dishearten us; rather, they buoyed us up… 22 of us, besides Don Bosco, who was kneeling by the table on which the crucifix stood, took vows as prescribed by our rules, repeating the formulary, phrase by phrase, as Fr. Rua read it.” (BMVII, p.102)
While the first group of Salesians was making the vows for three years, Don Bosco in his heart made them in perpetuity. “I offered myself in sacrifice to the Lord, ready to bear anything for His greater glory and the welfare of souls, particularly the souls of the young. May the Lord help us to be faithful to our vows… Let us take courage and work with all our hearts. God is a generous master and will amply reward us. Eternity is long enough for us to rest.” (BMVII, p.102-103)
Back to the formation community in Hong Kong, during the morning Mass today:
His Eminence Cardinal Zen, SDB, in his homily, encouraged his fellow confreres, especially those in initial formation, to live out, as the Rector Major proclaimed as the theme of GC27, our witness to radical Gospel values . It was something extraordinary in Don Bosco’s time to make a first profession due to the hostile social atmosphere against the Church. Nowadays, our resolution to live poorly, obediently and chastely still seems ridiculous to a secular world; nevertheless, it is in our faithfulness to the vows that we bear witness to Christ.
The community renewed their profession before the Blessed Sacrament during Vespers. The renewal of profession came at an opportune time, as we are preparing for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco; it allowed us to reflect how God has loved and blessed us and to re-affirm our commitment to God and the salvation of the young.
