austraLasia

Salesian Bulletins of Italy & France focus on Vietnam

Rome, Italy, 14 April 2018 -- Thanks to 'special visitors' like the France and Belgium (FRB) SDB provincial Fr. Daniel Federspiel and the Director of the Torino Mission Office Br. Gian Pietro Pettenon, the Salesian life and works of Vietnam are at the central stage of two Salesian Bulletin editions in Europe (April 2018). Both articles are an interesting insight of the first time visitors to the country and visit to many Salesian works, especially our Vocation Training Centers.

The Salesians from Europe visiting for the first time the 300 SDB strong province of Vietnam with almost 30 presences are struck by many similarities of the social situation of Vietnam (huge domestic migration and industrialization of a rural country) that are very similar to the situation of Don Bosco at Valdocco in Turin some 150 years ago.

"You have the feeling like to be in the Valdocco or our origins (=Don Bosco lite-time, 1844-1888), where the music, play, prayer, study and technical education were harmonized in the original education style 'invented' by Don Bosco, with a special touch of loving kindness." - the core appreciation by Br. Pettenon from Turin Mission Office.

Both articles highlight the creative and sacrificed approach of Vietnamese Salesians who care about the school drop outs and offer them a 'second chance' in our Boarding Vocation Training Centers and Technical Schools thriving with hundreds of students. Also the creativity of Don Bosco Alumni who started the 'Majcen Bistro' - restaurant and hotel school for the countryside youth in Ho Chi Minh City is higlighted and appreciated.

The Salesian Bulletin of Italy was started by Don Bosco himself in 1877 and does reach more than 400.000 readers and is sent to most of the 2000+ Salesian houses and institutions around the world. French edition of the Salesian Bulletin does reach less readers, but the online version is frequently updated.