(ANS - Cuiabá) - Tomorrow, Friday 23 May, the Salesian Mission in Mato Grosso begins the celebration to mark its 120 years of ministry to the people of the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo West. The festivities will bring together more than 800 people at the Salesian schools of São Gonçalo and Sagrado Coração de Jesusin Cuiabá, for two major events: the Congress of Mary Help of Christians and Salesian Youth Day.
The Congress of Mary Help of Christians will open on the evening of Friday 23 May, with a talk on the Holy Scriptures. Two other addresses are planned for Saturday - one on "Mary in the Tradition of the Church" and another on "Mary in the Salesian tradition." The latter will be given by Bishop Emídio Antonio Vilar, SDB of São Luiz de Caceres.
In the afternoon, after Mass at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, there will be a procession to the parish of São Gonçalo in the Porto district where the Salesians first arrived in Cuiabá on 18 June 1894. During the evening the Patronal Festival will take place at the school of São Gonçalo, with numerous artistic and cultural exhibitions.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be stands publicizing the groups of the Salesian Family and their activities in schools, parishes, universities, indigenous missions ... On Sunday, in addition, there will be a second procession to the Sanctuary Mary Help of Christians.
The opening of Salesian Youth Day will take place at the Sagrado Coração de Jesus school on the morning of 24 May with a talk by Bishop Eduardo Pinheiro da Silva, SDB, President of the Episcopal Commission for Youth Pastoral of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops. The topic will be “Mary in the life of the young: Mary in Salesian Youth Spirituality." The theme of this year’s Salesian Youth Day is " Mary, faithful disciple, Mother of the Church, Help of Christians."
In the afternoon , the boys will first discuss their experiences. Then they will join in the celebrations planned for the whole Salesian Family (Mass, Procession, Feast of the patron).
On Sunday, twenty-five boys will come to the school in São Gonçalo to pray with the outgoing Provincial, Fr Lauro Takaki Shinohara, to thank him for his service. The events will culminate with Mass at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians and the inauguration of Fr Gildasio Mendes dos Santos as the new provincial of Brazil Campo Grande and 18th President of the Salesian Mission in Mato Grosso. Fr Natale Vitali, Regional Councillor for the Southern Cone of America will preside and several bishops are expected to attend.
Published 22/05/2014
