(ANS – Oktiabrskiy) – In the final days of August there were some  important events in the Special Circumscription of East Europe (EST) connected with the canonical closure of the actual Circumscription itself. In fact, from 1 September the houses which constituted it have come under the administration of Polish Provinces.

On 19 August, in the presence of the Councillor for North Europe  Fr Marek Chrzan, there was the installation of Fr Rino Pistellato as the Superior of the Circumscription with a special statute of the Greek-Catholic Ukraine (UKR). In the decree of erection  the Rector Major on the one hand recognised the development of the Salesian mission in the Ukraine and on the other the need for a better form of animation of the charism of Don Bosco inculturating it in the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church.

According to the Julian Calendar the 19 August was the Solemnity of the Transfiguration, as is the tradition, during First Vespers of this Solemnity so dear to Eastern spirituality, four aspirants were admitted to the pre-novitiate: the latest  gift of the Circumscription to the Congregation. At present, six other pre-novices are already in Italy to study the language before beginning the novitiate in Pinerolo.

Ten days later on 29 August, in the former novitiate house of the EST Circumscription at Oktiabrskiy, on the outskirts of Moscow there was the final official meeting of al the Sons of Don Bosco in Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus. Taking part were over 30 Salesians who had come to celebrate what had been done in the eighteen years of the existence of the EST Circumscription and to welcome the Provincials of Poland-Warsaw (PLE), Poland-Krakow (PLS) and Poland-Piła (PLN), who will be responsible for the communities of the former EST Circumscription.

Representing the Rector Major, Fr Chrzan also attended this meeting, and he assured his closeness and support for his confreres at this time of transition, re-organisation and re-launching of Salesian presence.

Published 05/09/2012