austraLasia #3167
DILI: 8 December 2012 -- The Salesians in East Timor began their Retreat on 25 November last led by Fr Piotr Gozdalski from the Economer General's administration office. His reflections focused on the person of Don Bosco and his spirituality.
The East Timor Salesian retreats traditionally take place in a different location each year. This year the first group went to Fuiloro (25 November - 1 December). The second group began on 2 December and concluded on 8 December with the priestly ordination of 4 Salesian Deacons. The number of retreatants involved has been 64: 34 in the first group and 30 in the second. This second group included the deacons as they prepared for their priestly ordination on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Other than the usual mediations offered by the preacher, therefore, there was an additional conference on the priestly life for these four, given by Fr João de Deus, a great Portuguese missionary in the Vice Province.
Fr Gozdalski offered two meditations a day on Don Bosco: his formation, apostolic passion for poor and neglected youth, the secret of his success, his missionary activity, Salesian holiness, and Don Bosco's Preventive System today. Nevertheless the core of the preaching was always Jesus Christ. Don Bosco, as the preacher often reminded us, is an instrument for coming to Jesus.
Other moments of community prayer helped retreatants to rediscover themselves and their relationship with God. There was an hour's adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each evening, as well as community rosary and good night. the atmosphere of prayer and recollection certainly helped this course of spiritual exercises to be a success.
Salesian Retreats East Timor
by Fr Placido Freitas
The East Timor Salesian retreats traditionally take place in a different location each year. This year the first group went to Fuiloro (25 November - 1 December). The second group began on 2 December and concluded on 8 December with the priestly ordination of 4 Salesian Deacons. The number of retreatants involved has been 64: 34 in the first group and 30 in the second. This second group included the deacons as they prepared for their priestly ordination on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Other than the usual mediations offered by the preacher, therefore, there was an additional conference on the priestly life for these four, given by Fr João de Deus, a great Portuguese missionary in the Vice Province.
Fr Gozdalski offered two meditations a day on Don Bosco: his formation, apostolic passion for poor and neglected youth, the secret of his success, his missionary activity, Salesian holiness, and Don Bosco's Preventive System today. Nevertheless the core of the preaching was always Jesus Christ. Don Bosco, as the preacher often reminded us, is an instrument for coming to Jesus.
Other moments of community prayer helped retreatants to rediscover themselves and their relationship with God. There was an hour's adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each evening, as well as community rosary and good night. the atmosphere of prayer and recollection certainly helped this course of spiritual exercises to be a success.
