On Friday evening 18 March there was a gathering of Religious, Salesian Priests, Brothers, Sisters and members of other Orders and Diocesan Priests and Seminarians. Fr Frank Moloney and Sr Margaret Bentley, the respective Provincials of the Salesians and Salesian Sisters, spoke to those present about the legacy of Don Bosco, his charism and the challenges of living the Salesian consecrated vocation in today’s world. Fr Greg Chambers SDB (Vice Provincial), Sr Marguerite Nguyen FMA (originally from Vietnam) and Br Joseph Kizhakkedath SDB (a young Salesian missionary in Cambodia, currently studying for the Priesthood in Melbourne) gave moving personal testimonies of their own journey with Don Bosco.
On Saturday about 200 young people, coming from the many Salesian centres in Victoria, gathered for a day of celebration. Conducted in a style to capture the “Spirit and Style of Don Bosco’s original Oratory in Turin’, the day included prayer, catechesis, presentations from various people retelling aspects of the life and charism of Don Bosco, including a visit and presentation by Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne. The day concluded with a moving prayer service around the Relic of Dion Bosco, a concert featuring the great musical talents of those who had been part of the day and fireworks to bring it all to a grand and spectacular finale.
On Sunday there were Masses in English, Italian and Vietnamese during the morning and then a festive procession leading up to an open-air Mass celebrated by Salesian Auxiliary Bishop Tim Costelloe. He reminded the many people gathered together to “Listen to the call of the Lord”, as was highlighted in the Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent and demonstrated by St John Bosco throughout his life and ministry
Special thanks were extended to Fr Anthony Quang, parish priest, and the whole parish community for the enthusiastic welcome, very generous hospitality and a very prayerful atmosphere
Published 22/03/2011
