By Mr Niel Evangelista
GEX Councilor for Asia-Oceania
Asia-Oceania. 24 June 2021 -- On the 151st birthday of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco Association (June 24) the 12th Asia-Oceania Regional Congress of Don Bosco Past Pupils (online) is ready. Some 150 registered members of the Congress, representing the Past Pupils from 28 countries of these two large continents will be meeting for 9 hours, divided into 3 sessions (June 25-26) with simultaneous translation available on the YouTube channel in another 6 languages (Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Tetun, Thai and Vietnamese). In this way during these two days and later on hundreds of other of our Past Pupils are able to be involved and share this valuable experience.
In his Message to the 12th Asia-Oceania Congress, the Successor of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel F. Artime shares his deep conviction enthusiastically: ...'Don Bosco Past Pupils are very important in the Salesian Family. And do you know why? Because you are the arm of Don Bosco prolonged in the world - in the name of Jesus and in the style of Don Bosco, your spread his work in the world..."
In this short Message the Rector Major also strongly invites all Congress participants 'to promote the Association among young past pupils. We must all believe in the young and I encourage you to continue to believe in the young people and involve those who can join the ranks of past pupils around the world even more in beautiful initiatives carried out with creativity, especially in Asia and Oceania...." (Full text is available on Boscolink)
So, thanks to the hard work of the preparatory commission (translators, IT team and central desk) the 12th Asia-Oceania Congress is ready. Now is a time to invite at least one of your friends - Bosconians - to join and get a fresh inspiration on their life journey - as those who have received, are grateful for and would like to share the gift of Don Bosco education far and wide! Welcome and help to join other Bosconians - Past Pupils!
First session of the Congress opens on June 25, 6PM (Manila time: GMT+8)
Links to the YouTube channels in respective languages:
- Thai: GEX-EAO-Thai - YouTube
- Indonesian: GEX-EAO-Indonesian - YouTube
- Timor Leste
- Korean
- Vietnamese
- Japanese
Related resources:
- 12th Regional Congress DBPP Asia-Oceania Messages: Full text
- World Confederation Quarterly Newsflash (n.42)
