Melbourne, Australia, 7 August 2023 -- Since its arrival on 4 July 2023 to mark the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians in Australia, the first-class relic statue of Don Bosco has been extremely busy touring many different Salesian houses, parishes, schools and youth centres in Melbourne.
On 6 August, the solemnity of Transfiguration, the relic statue was hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ringwood (Melbourne) for the parishioners as well as the Burmese Catholic Community of Melbourne who celebrated their love for Don Bosco as a community.
The Provincial of the Salesians in Australia and Pacific, Fr Will Matthews SDB, who was born and raised in Burma, welcomed the statue at the parish, and gave a presentation on the life of St John Bosco in Burmese. Fr Will then led the Eucharist concelebrated by Fr Lucas Myint the Burmese Chaplain, and three Burmese priests from Italy who are visiting Australia for their summer break. The permanent deacon of the parish, Rev Phil King, who knew about Don Bosco and his oratories in England as a young boy, assisted in the Eucharist. Fr Simeon Anthony, a young Burmese priest of Melbourne Archdiocese, led the choir in a special way, working with the youth, to honour the occasion, the presence of the relic statue of St John Bosco.
During the homily, Fr Will highlighted as Jesus was assured by God as his beloved Son in his life and ministries, and so is Don Bosco assuring each young person as their beloved father for the good of their lives to become ‘good Christians and upright citizens’.
Following the Eucharist, people flocked to pray through the relic statue of St John Bosco and take pictures in this once-in-a-while opportunity.
The Burmese Catholic Community in Melbourne appreciates the support received from Fr. Will Matthews, and many Salesian places in Melbourne.
Brother Stan Rossato SDB will drive the relic statue to Sydney on 13 August as the next destination where Don Bosco celebrates his birthday at St John Bosco National Shrine in Engadine, Sydney.
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