50 years of Salesian religious life

By Fr Mariano Soe Naing

Anisakan, Myanmar, 24 May 2020 -- At 6:30 a.m. a simple, yet solemn Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by a 'Golden' Salesian, Fr. Edward Ba Si (Sein Myint) in the Chapel of the Provincial House, Anisakan. Cardinal Charles Bo, who expressed his desire to be in Anisakan on this day, was unable to participate in the occasion. In the first week of May, the Cardinal sent a message: “I’d like to celebrate Mass in the chapel where I made my first profession fifty years ago. I’d celebrate the Mass alone, however the confreres who are in the house may concelebrate.” In Myanmar, public gatherings are still prohibited.

Fr. Edward and Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, made their first Salesian Religious Profession on 24 May, 1970. Their Novice Master was Fr. Fortunato Giacomin, the only Salesian Pioneer who remained in the country till his death since the expulsion of the foreign missionaries in 1965.

Fr. Edward recalled the ceremony of his first profession: “there were only 18 Salesians present when we made our first profession. There were no sisters, no boys and girls as we are today in this chapel.”

In 1965 the Socialist Regime confiscated the mission schools and expelled the missionaries. Since then, all the formation houses were also closed and new candidates were not allowed to be taken in. The remaining 5 candidates were admitted to the Novitiate on 24 May 1969 with Fr. Giacomin as the Novice Master. Only two of them made their profession and today we celebrate the 50 fruitful and faithful years of their Salesian Religious life. In fact, the next profession after the two of them was in June, 1981 – that was after eleven years.

“When we made our first profession, we were not sure of our future: mission, ordination, even if ordained what we were to do as priests… we were happy to be Salesians. To be a Salesian was the only motivation in making my first vows.” Fr. Edward shared his initial enthusiasm as a professed Salesian.

Both of them were ordained as Salesian Priests on 9 April, 1976. On that day the Salesian took up Lashio Mission. Consequently, a new chapter was opened for the Salesians as missionaries in a most difficult mission territory of the country. There area was filled with Ethnic Arm Organizations waging war against Burmese Central Government for their self-determination. That Mission Territory became a Lashio diocese in 1990, Cardinal Charles Bo as its first Bishop.

Both Cardinal Charles and Fr. Edward have had their own mission and ministry during these 50 years. Their Salesian Vocation indeed was a great boon to the Catholic Church in Myanmar. We wish and pray that they continue to be God’s compassionate blessings to the young and the Church of Myanmar.

Related news article:

AustraLasia 4871 (IV) 'I saw in him Don Bosco' (Cardinal Charles about about his Novicemaster Fr. Giacomin)

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