Present at the celebration were Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, many young people and religious from other Congregations and various authorities from the city.
In his homily, Fr Joaquin Tshibangu, Provincial of Central Africa (AFC), touched on various subjects such as peace, la salvation, mission and responsibility: “We have to be converted ourselves in order to grow in a culture of peace as opposed to war and conflict; to be able to guide those entrusted to us towards a life of peace, which is the path to the salvation which comes from Christ.”
He also said: “Whoever professes that Christ is the Lord will be saved,” says St Paul. This is what we have to proclaim without reservation; this is the first duty of everyone baptised. As regards the mission, the harvest is great. Boys and girls come and join us in Salesian religious life.”.
At the end of the Mass Bishop Ruvezi expressed words of thanks, especially for the courageous missionaries who planted the first seeds of the Salesian charism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a talk after the Mass, Fr Tshibangu recalled the main objectives planned for the Province before the festivities to commemorate the sending of Congolese Salesian missionaries abroad, the Salesian presence in the world of the media, the commitment to ensuring the economic independence of the Province and the expansion of Salesian work towards other regions of the country.
Some of these objectives are already being achieved since, in fact for 2011, the Province has already sent 6 young Salesians to the missions, as a sign of gratitude for the first 6 missionaries to arrive and Radio Don Bosco, now functioning, which next year will have a new headquarters in Kananga.
In the afternoon of 14 November there were recreational activities organised by the young people from Salesian centres of Bakanja-Magone, Cité des Jeunes and Salama.
The Provincial then, with a few words, concluded the opening day of the centenary year. The solemn celebration of the centenary of the Salesian mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will take place on 1 May 2011, in the presence of the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez.
Published 23/11/2010
