By Fr. A. Maung Maung, SDB

Anisakan, Myanmar, 13 November 2023 -- On the feast day of St. Artemides Zatti, November 13, a seminar on Salesian Brother Vocations, entitled "St. Artemides Zatti: The Pride and Model of Salesian Brothers" was organized by Don Bosco Provincialate Community at Nazareth St. Dominic Savio hall at 8:00 p.m, in order to promote the Salesian Vocation among the young in Myanmar.

The event began with the opening prayer and hymn to Don Bosco, followed by the talk of Bro. Stephen Tuang Lian Pau, SDB, the most senior Salesian brother in the vice-province. He stressed that Salesian brother vocation is a holy vocation initiated by Don Bosco himself, and St. Artemides Zatti, the model of Salesian Brothers, showed us by his life that this vocation is also a sure way to sanctity.

Due to the conservative influence of Myanmar Culture and lack of proper understanding of the role of the Salesian brother vocations in the church, the Myanmar Salesian province has been suffering from the crisis of this holy vocation for a long time. So far, there are only three Salesian Brothers in the province.

Generally, Myanmar people usually understand that monks or priests, and nuns are a group of people who consecrate their whole lives to God or Buddha, wearing a certain kind of sacred cassock and teaching or preaching the Word of God or the teachings of Buddha. The fact that Salesian Brothers do not wear a specific cassock is an obstacle to Myanmar people in understanding and accepting the unique lifestyle of the Salesian Brother. This is why this kind of seminar is very necessary and helpful to the young people to understand and pursue the holy vocation of Salesian Brothers.

There were about 150 boys present in the event. After the talk, the movie of St. Artemides Zatti was also shown on the screen by Don Bosco Media Team. During the movie, snacks were served to all, too. The program was successfully concluded with night prayer, imploring the Good Lord to provide more Salesian Brother vocations in the vice-province of Myanmar. All the participants were very much delighted and enjoyed the whole event.

---

---