(ANS – Wau) – On 19 February, the Rector Major, Fr Horacio López, his Secretary, Fr Gianni Rolandi, the Provincial of AFE, and Fr Kim Sang Yun, the Korean Mission Procurator entered the town of Wau to receive a warm welcome from the Salesian Family, the young people, children and parishioners of the Salesian Mission in Wau.

by Fr. Poobalarayen Ferrington, SDB

Wau is a Catholic town and the crowd joined in the celebration as the Rector Major’s motorcade passed by with blaring sirens and colourful banners, flags and songs sung by the children. “Don Bosco is in the city” was the talk of the town. The Rector, Fr George Kaini, and the Community were there to welcome him at the entrance of the town, dressing the Rector Major in the garb of a traditional elder.

As the Rector Major entered the Salesian Sisters’ Primary School, the children welcomed him with traditional dances, songs and creative choreography. The Provincial, Sr Roberta Tomassi, was there to welcome the Rector Major together with the seven Sisters, volunteers and students. The Rector Major was all smiles as he moved around like a great affectionate father, posing spontaneously for photos. He was interviewed by the National TV and in his message he stressed the conviction that the Congregation is committed to serving the poor and that the Salesians will always offer the hope the poor youngsters deserve.

During the Mass the Rector Major highlighted his appreciation of the great witness of faith of the Christians and their determination to continue the journey of hope. The Confreres and the FMA Sisters had a quiet meeting with the Rector Major and a chance to exchange pleasantries. The Rector Major spent some quality time with the Salesian Confreres listening to them discussing the dreams and challenges of the Mission. The Youth at Risk (Street Boys) had a very personal meeting with the Rector Major. It was a privileged moment also for him to bless the foundation stones for the multi-purpose hall of the Parish, the new Computer centre and also a blessing for a future Don Bosco Engineering College in the town of Wau.

As the Rector Major moves on, the momentum picks up and the power of his message becomes all the stronger. The next stopover is the finale in the Salesian Mission in Juba.

“The Rector Major, daring the heat of the Sun and the horrendous South Sudanese Roads, showed his determination to be with the Confreres and have his own experience of life in the mission,” said the Salesian Confreres in Wau.

Published 20/02/2015