(ANS - Aleppo)- The civil war in Syria continues to destroy homes and human lives. People continue to live in complete insecurity due to frequent explosions or gunfire or mortar bombs. Now a boy from the oratory has been mortally wounded.

On Friday 3 January, at 2.30 p.m., while the young people were waiting for the bus to come to the Oratory for Catechism class, two mortar bombs fell at the Midan bus-stop near Aleppo. Many of the young people who attend the Salesian Oratory come from that area. Some of the young people from the Oratory were injured and were accompanied by the Salesians to the hospital. One of them had a splinter in his head which was removed.  Sadly, another boy, a primary school student of sixth grade was killed. His name was Jack Salloum.

Fr Georges Fattal, Rector of the Salesian community, together with Rania Selukjiwho organizes the catechism classes and Georgina Balli,went to Jack's house to offer their condolences to his mother and family. Jack’s mother said: "He was like Dominic Savio - he has gone early to heaven!"

When the Rector Major heard the sad and painful news, he expressed his sympathy in these words: "As we entrust to the Lord this new Dominic Savio, who will certainly be planted in the Salesian Garden, we pray that his dear parents and all his family may find consolation, and we pray for the gift of peace in this ravaged land of Syria."

That evening, at the oratory in Aleppo, Jack’s friends attended a prayer vigil. This was their poignant tribute:

"Give me souls and take the rest."
That's what Don Bosco wanted ...
This is what has happened to you, Jack ...
Now you're with Don Bosco in heaven...
Now you are an angel in heaven ...
Thank you for your joy
Thank you for your love ...
Thank you for your pure heart that knew no sin...

Dominic Savio said: There is no need to cry, I see the Lord and the Virgin Mary, who is there with open arms waiting for me ...
This is what Jack is telling us now ...
I love you very much ... Jack is in the heavenly kingdom ...

In the 33 months of war in Syria11000 children have died, victims of a cruel and absurd war.
 

Published  6/01/2014