By our correspondent

       Makati City, 11 February 2022 -- After spending the required quarantine, Fr Alfred Maravilla, General Councillor for the Missions, began his extraordinary visitation to the Province of St John Bosco, Northern Philippines (FIN). On 8th February, he had an online meeting with all the Rectors of the houses of the Province. The following day, he met in person all the coordinators of the Provincial Commissions to better understand the organisation and SEPP of the Province. On February 10, he had a meeting in person with the members of the Provincial Council to understand the priorities and challenges of the Province.

       Although originally from the Philippines, Fr Maravilla was sent as a missionary to Papua New Guinea more than 30 years ago. Hence, these initial meetings are important for the Visitor to get a background knowledge of the FIN Province before he starts his visit to the houses.

       The FIN province was founded in 1952 by missionaries from China and India. Today it consists of 25 houses. From FIN Province was born our Salesian presence in Indonesia (now the INA Vice Province) as well as our presences in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (now the PGS Vice Province). In 2017 the Rector Major entrusted FIN with the new missionary presence in Malaysia. Although vocations have been lesser, FIN has regularly sent missionaries as part of the Congregation's missionary expedition. Last year Frs. Philip Lazatin was sent to Kenya and Fr. Eugene Maglasang from FIS was sent to Malaysia. May the extraordinary visit keep alive the missionary enthusiasm and missionary generosity of FIN.

       The Extraordinary Visitation will conclude on the May 24th in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians with the pontifical coronation by the Apostolic Nuncio of the first statue of Mary Help of Christians brought to the Philippines by the Salesian nuncio Archbishop William Piani in 1922.

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