Don Bosco Newslink 56 - salesians of don bosco

Ethiopia - Eritrea
Issue No. 56
Oct - Nov - Dec 2013
DON BOSCO
A Tri-Monthly Publication from AET
Newslink
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
Don Bosco Newslink
In this Issue
Editorial
03
The Voice of the Provincial
04
Humor Resolves Conflicts
05
Salesian World, World News
07
Do we have a ‘Second Mile’ in our lives?
08
News Vatican
10
The will of God in my Superiors…
11
Catholic World
13
Simple ways to enhance the beauty of the Mass 15
Abba Alfred turns 80
16
Bosco Children bids farewell to Abba Dino
16
Salesian World, Local News
17
A moment with our New Provincial
19
This is what they said!
20
What Pope Francis really said…
23
“Amici del Sidamo” marks 30 years
24
Good Bye to Abba Samala
25
A memorable day in our lives
25
Sanctity in the Family
26
No Comments!
27
Editor:
Abba Lijo Vadakkan SDB
Magazine Staff: Tsege Getachew & Rahel Arkebe
“Youth Meet” conducted at Bosco Children,
Addis Abeba from 27—30 June, 2013.
More than 250 youth from various regions of
Ethiopia participated in the event.
Graphic Design: Abba Lijo Vadakkan SDB
E-mail:
vadakkanvadas@gmail.com
Website:
www.sdbaet.org
Publisher:
AET Publications
AET
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2
Editorial
During one of my recent visits to Addis Abeba for the renewal of my driving license, I
came across a beautiful add with the picture of cute baby accompanied by a catchy phrase that
caught my attention. The add was of a food product of a Turkish company and the phrase was
really captivating.
It said: “Growing Old is Mandatory, Growing Up is Optional”. I kept wondering
about this phrase all through my flight journey back to Mekelle. I appreciate the genius behind
the coining of this phrase, even though I still wonder about the appropriateness of this phrase on
the add of that food product. But thinking further, I came to the realization that this phrase carries a great message for all of us. Growing old chronologically is an automatic process for all
living things including plants and animals. Whether one likes it or not, it happens all the same. I
am thirty years old this year and next year I ought to be thirty one and the following year thirty
two and so on.
But quite contrary to this, “Growing Up” does not take place just automatically. If growing old is compulsory for all living things, growing up is an optional choice for every human being. To make this point clear we ask: “what do we mean exactly by Growing Up”? Yes, Growing Up means the growth on an individual in all the virtues and qualities that distinguish him/her
from merely a living thing. In this sense growing up would mean, growing up as a Mature, Reliable, Confident, Trust-worthy, Lovable, Compassionate (the list of the adjectives could go on)
person. And this of course, as I said earlier, does not take place just automatically. It requires a
willingness and a readiness from the part of the human person to imbibe and grow in these virtues day by day through the choices that one makes in life. That’s why we said, Growing Up is
very much optional.
Paolo Coelho in one of his recent books Brida, speaks of two attitudes that a person can
take in life: to build or to plant. The builders might take years over their tasks, but one day,
they finish what they’re doing. Then they find themselves hemmed in by their own walls and
life loses its meaning when the building stops. But instead those who plant, they endure storms
and all the many vicissitudes of the seasons, and they rarely rest. But, unlike a building, a garden never stops growing. And while it requires the gardener’s constant attention, it also allows
life for the gardener to be a great adventure.
We are at the beginning of 2006 according to the Ethiopian Calendar and we have just
begun our new scholastic year. This new year is going to offer us several opportunities for
growth and I think, the right attitude to life that we should take is that of the planters, who will
never stop growing unlike the builders. In this way, life can become a great adventure, where
we can grow up daily, through the setbacks and challenges of life. Thus, with the passing of
years, we will not only be just growing old chronologically but there will be also in us a parallel
movement of Growing Up, in the fullest sense of the word. Let that be our experience during
this year ahead.
Abba Lijo Vadakkan SDB
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GUIDANCE
Voice of the Provincial
The Congregation has started the preparation for the bi-centenary of the birth of our father
St. Don Bosco in good time. The GC 26, “Da mihi animas cetera tolle”, starting afresh from Don
Bosco, is an encouragement to live our life with renewed vigor to return to Don Bosco and return
to the young, it is an invitation to strengthen our Charismatic identity in today’s world. The visit of
Don Bosco to the province, was a blessing and at the same times a strong reminder to make Don
Bosco Ethiopian and Eritrean. “It is evident, then, that the absolute priority must be given to formation, initial and ongoing. Initial formation guide the candidates and young confreres to a convinced personal following of Don Bosco, becoming like him, and to a strong sense of belonging to
the Congregation.” (The letter of the Rector Major to AET vice - Province 24 July, 2013).
Last school year we had an intense experience of the celebration of the Provincial Chapter
five, in preparation to the GC 27, the radical approach to our identity and mission. The Extraordinary visit was another moment of fraternal encouragement of our Rector Major. We have experienced profound communion with the whole Congregation, moreover we are motivated to make
radical options in our approach to the life and mission of the vice-province.
Our attitude to all these graces received is a feeling of deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. We are urged to an active involvement in the whole process of renewal. Renewal is a dynamic process that entails; prayer, reflection, sharing and making particular choices and lines of
action.
We are in the third year of the preparation for the bi-century of Don Bosco’s birthday and
our focus this year will be on his Spirituality. The young people have the right to know the spirituality of our founder. We are encouraged to make our plan to make Don Bosco known to the young
people for He is a gift of God to the Church. “We be committed to loving, studying, imitating,
praying to Don Bosco and making him known in order to start afresh from him.” GC 26, 8. Planning for us Salesians is an act of faith, and it is not an occasional act but a constant attitude in making present God through the Charism that Spirit has given to the Church in our lives and mission.
We pay more attention on the educational process than on the activity. In this process therefore, we
are also aware that fraternal communion is above all a gift from God in Jesus Christ, as well as
task and the commitment of each one. We make communion visible and we build it up by sharing
our life, by fraternal love, and by our participation in the common mission. (GC 25, 8)
We therefore renew our commitment in taking care of our communities, the confreres, the
mission (young people) and lay collaborators with whom we make the mission visible and credible. We take the recommendation of our extraordinary visit, the letter of the Rector Major and the
Provincial Chapter as good instruments for our renewal. We look forward to the celebration of the
General Chapter twenty seven with enthusiasm and commitment.
Fr. Estifanos Gebremeskel SDB
Provincial AET
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Life Style
Humor Resolves
Conflicts!
In primitive days nations settled their disputes only through wars. In the feudal times
gentlemen settled all their quarrels with gun duels as if bullets could decide the justice or otherwise of things. In all dictatorships the army and suppression are of critical importance for the survival of the regime. Modern man tries to settle differences through the more civilized ways of
diplomacy and dialogue. In his arsenal of non-lethal weapons humor occupies the prime place in
negotiating life`s pot holes both in the
public domain and in private lives. For
the civilized man a sense of proportion
of things and a razor sharp intellect replace the savage`s fist of fury. Perhaps
like our shrinking integrity in public life
our sense of humor is taking a beating
and intolerance is becoming pervasive
and shooting up by the day. Like the
uncommon common sense it is becoming rare to find.
Humor is a bullet-less gun, an
anger dousing foam, a tension reliever,
a face saving shield, a survival kit in the face of grim oppression, a social friction lubricant, a pin
to prick bloated egos. So it is heartily loathed and outlawed by dictators who ban all cartoons.
But it is the refuge of the underdogs, and the unfailing weapon of debaters. It is the essence of the
democratic spirit. Autocrats dread and proscribe it since they cannot silence ideas with bullets.
Great men and women possessed it in abundance. They never attempted to cage it or muzzle it. Wise kings of old kept court fools who had the freedom to jest about imperial follies. We
see a number of such ‘wise fools’ in Shakespearean plays. Even in the circus we have clowns
who ape the artists clumsily arousing peals of laughter, thereby relieving the tension of the high
strung trapeze artists. Winston Churchill, who successfully led England through two world wars,
was an exceptionally witty man. Once a society lady insulted him saying that if he were her husband she would poison him. He coolly quipped in turn that if she were his wife he would drink it.
Another time the dramatist Bernard Shaw attempted the snob game with him saying. “I invite you
to the first performance of my play and bring a friend...if you have one”. Pat came his blistering
reply, “Impossible to be present for the first performance. Will attend the second ... if there is
one”. When Gandhi was visiting King George in London he made no change in his spare attire,
with no shirt to his back. A palace officer condescendingly dropped a hint, “Mr. Gandhi, do you
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Life Style
think you are sufficiently dressed for the occasion?” On the instant came his unfazed reply. “His
majesty has enough clothes for both of us”.
Pomposity and petty jealousies can be seen even in religious circles. Once a hushed dispute
arose among the close disciples of Jesus as to who was the greatest among them. The wise master
called a child and placing it in the center of their circle and said, “Unless you become like this little
child, you will not enter the kingdom of God”. Their egos shrunk then to healthy dimensions.
John Paul II while fighting communist oppression in Poland when he was a young bishop was forbidden by the government to hold the annual traditional procession with the picture of the famous
Black Madonna. He did not despair. He held the procession all the same with just the frame of the
picture and the knowing huge crowd of devotees gallantly joined in. The bamboozled authorities
were at their wits’ end at this out of the box thinking coming from the unlikely quarters of a
churchman.
Once an emperor was visiting prisoners in the crowded jail and he asked each of them about
their lives and crimes. All of them protested their innocence and blamed the government and the
courts for their plight. One man alone confessed his crime honestly and had no complaints against
the authorities. The emperor ordered his immediate release and told the rest that the presence of
such a criminal would be undesirable among so many innocents. We can see this subtle irony in
Shakespeare in the classic speech of Mark Antony after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Not
even once did he speak disrespectfully of the chief conspirator Brutus but he rubbed in layers of
irony with his repeated epithets of ‘honorable’ and ‘noble Brutus’. Great statesmen like Nehru
never objected to any cartoons and in fact looked forward to be amused by the great cartoons of
R.K. Laxman.
Mathew Adukkanil SDB, (Source: www.donboscoindia.com)
Editor’s note: A little doze of sense of humor can save many of the conflicts in our own communities too, if only we had the wisdom to let ourselves be not taken too seriously and to laugh over our
own petty mistakes and the failings of our own confreres!!
Humor in the Bible
1. Who was the fastest runner in the world? Adam, because he was the first in the race.
2. Where is medicine first mentioned in the Bible? When God gives Moses two tablets.
3. What did Adam do when needed sugar? He raised Cain.
4. How do we know that they used Arithmetic in the early Bible times? Because the Lord said to
multiply on the face of the earth.
5. Why did Moses cross the Red sea? To avoid the Egyptian traffic.
6. What do you think the “land flowing with milk and honey” will be like? Sticky.
7. Who introduced the first walking stick? Eve, when she presented with little Cain.
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Salesian World
Hungary - Stephen Sándor is Beatified
(21/10/2013)
On Saturday, 19 October, in the picturesque square in front
of the Basilica of St.
Stephen in Budapest,
Stephen Sándor, Salesian Brother, martyr of the faith, was
declared
blessed.
The liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom
-Budapest and Primate of Hungary. He was the one who applied for
the Servant of God to be enrolled in the book of
the blessed. The Procurator General, Fr Pierluigi
Cameroni, gave a brief presentation of the life of
Stephen Sándor. Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB,
Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of
Saints and representative of the Pope, read the Apostolic Letter in which Stephen Sándor was declared Blessed. In the letter the new Blessed is
described as an exemplary educator and catechist
of young people, following Don Bosco’s method
of kindness.
ANS
Vatican – Cardinal Bertone SDB leaves
the office of Secretary of State
"Dear
Cardinal
Tarcisio, I think I
understand
the
thought of my
beloved Predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI when he
offered you his most heartfelt gratitude for the
work you have done over the years. I see in you,
first of all, a son of Don Bosco." With these words
of affection, Pope Francis thanked Cardinal Tar-
cisio Bertone, SDB, during the farewell ceremony for the Salesian Cardinal from the office of
Vatican Secretary of State, which took place on
15 October. "When I think about your long service to the Church,” he continued, “as teacher, in your ministry as a diocesan bishop and
your work in the Curia, and finally in the office
of Secretary of State, I think that the secret lies
precisely in the Salesian priestly vocation that
has marked you since childhood”. The Pope
thanked the Cardinal profusely for the courage
and the patience with which he faced the opposition he met, and pointed out that there were
many examples of his courage and loyalty. ANS
Italy – The “Missionary Nobel Prize”
awarded to the Salesian Family
In the month dedicated
to the missions, the
Heart Friend award,
better known as "Nobel
Prize for Missionaries”
was
awarded
by
the Cuore Amico Fraternity to Sr. Paola
Battagliola, missionary
of the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians in East Timor, Fr.
George Nonni, a missionary priest in Peru , and
Piera Doves, a lay missionary of the Volunteers
of Don Bosco (VDB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Heart Friend Prize is an
award established in 1990 to honor the missionaries whose lives bear faithful witness to the
Gospel and to a love that lasts to the very end.
Among previous winners was Pope John Paul II
in 1998. The awards ceremony, held on October
19 in the Kids of Brescia auditorium, in the
house of the religious community of the Piamartini, is a great honour for the Salesian Family. All 3 winners, in fact, directly or indirectly,
bear witness to the great missionary work of the
spiritual family of Don Bosco.
ANS
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Spirituality
DO WE HAVE A ‘SECOND MILE’
IN OUR LIVES?
Abba Lijo Vadakkan SDB
There is often the concept of a “Second Mile” that is developed in the teachings of Jesus in
the Gospel. We come across this idea many times in his various discourses and speeches and especially in the Gospel of Mathew in his Sermon on the Mount. This comes in contrast to the understanding of the Old Testament where the law simply stated: “An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a
Tooth” which I don’t think has to be interpreted only in terms of retaliation, even though it was said
to be the ‘Law of Retaliation’. It can be seen also
as a customary norm for
behavior even in terms of
returning a favor. That is
to say, ‘if someone has
wished you, wish him too
in return, or if someone
has given you a cup of
water, give the same in
return’. In other words it
would mean to say:
“Return the favor in the
same coin”.
But in the mind of Jesus
(as is often the case, because wherever there is
Jesus in the midst, there is
always an absolute novelty) the spiritual man is not just one who is satisfied with doing the bear
minimum. He was always prompting his listeners to go a step beyond the minimum. “What good
is there, if you love only those who love you?”, or “what good is there, if you lend only to those
from whom you hope to get it back?” (Lk. 6: 32, 34). “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let
him slap your left cheek too. If someone compels you to carry his pack one mile, go with him a
second mile. When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something, lend it to him. (Mt. 5: 39, 41-42). So, Jesus is proposing an ideal for Christian living that surpasses the conventional norms of behavior. And I, as a religious have often thought only about the first miles and at times even felt little proud about the first mile in my own life. But the
question that begins to perplex my mind is whether I have a ‘second mile’ in my life? Thanks to Fr.
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Spirituality
Bobby whose book gave me a beautiful insight on the ‘second mile’ that Jesus speaks about in the
Gospels.
At the time of Jesus in Palestine, there was an unwritten law that all those territories which
fell under the Roman Rule, had to give their total allegiance to the Roman government. Now, this
allegiance was shown in several ways which also meant that the citizens were forced to obey even
the slightest wish of the least soldier of the Roman Army. Any soldier, at any time of the day or
the night, could command any of its citizens anything that he wished and the citizens had no choice
but to fulfill the wish of the soldier, irrespective of his rankings or positions in the army. For example, a normal soldier could ask any citizen to take his horse to the water or deliver a message to
a particular village or anything of the kind. The citizen couldn’t disobey or oppose the task that
was asked of him. (Even the favor that Simon of Cyrene renders to Jesus, on his way to Calvary,
being asked by the soldiers has to be read in this light.) So, the second mile would mean, precisely
the willingness of the person to go beyond the mere favor asked of him/her, to take up an extra
mile. As I said earlier, as a priest, I don’t lack the first miles in my life and at times it has even led
me to a feeling of complacency. But what is going to qualify my life as a priest or a religious is
precisely this ‘second mile’ in my life.
I give you an example to make this point clear. Tomorrow is a Sunday and I have to deliver
a homily during the Mass. I have been spending the whole week, thinking about the Gospel passage, meditating upon it and even reading a few commentaries on the passage and I prepare a beautiful and heart-touching homily and I deliver it with the best of preparation. But still it is only my
first mile, because it is my duty, a service for my parishners that is expected of me. But tomorrow
after the Mass, I get to know that there is a woman in the village who is seriously sick and is needing help, she has not asked for me and maybe she doesn’t even know me, but knowing that she requires my help, I take my bicycle and instead of my legitimate siesta after my lunch I go and visit
her in her hut, spend my little time with her sharing in her suffering and pain. This would mean
exactly the ‘second mile’ that Jesus talks of.
You are a religious sister and as a teacher you are the best one in the school. The children
appreciate you a lot and you too know that you are a capable teacher. Everyone comments about
your efficiency: “When she is around everything runs so smoothly”, “she is well prepared for her
job”. Yes, all that is only your first mile. But then, you have two students in your class who are so
poor in studies and are not able to cope up with the other children. You decide to meet them privately on Saturdays and Sundays during your legitimate free time, and you spend your little time
for those two kids to explain the difficult lessons and make them also competent like the others;
this would mean exactly the ‘second mile’ in your life.
Jesus’s call is very precise and clear. It is not just to be men/women of first mile
(unfortunately we have too many of them today). It is to be men and women of second miles. As
priests and religious and even as ordinary people, what will give quality to our lives is this element
of second mile in our lives. We are going to find space in the hearts of our own people (and allow
me to say even in the mind of God) not so much for our first miles but the second miles that we
have had courage to take up in the journey of our lives.
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News Vatican
John Paul II, John XXIII to be Canonized
Divine Mercy Sunday
News - Vatican
The
Vatican
has announced
that
former
Popes
John
Paul II and
John XXIII are
slated to be
canonized this
coming spring.
The announcement was made following the Sept. 30 consistory, in
which the Holy Father proclaimed that the pontiffs would
be canonized together April 27, 2014 on the second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.
Capsules
In recent months, the final steps paving the way
towards Bl. John Paul II’s canonization, including the approval of the second needed miracle, have been completed. However, in the case of John XXIII, only one miracle
has been formally approved by the Vatican, instead of the
usual two. Although the decision to waive the second miracle is unusual, it is within the authority of the Pope to do
so.
- CNA
Change in the Baptismal Rite
In one of his last acts as Pope,
Benedict XVI approved changed wording
in the rite of baptism which emphasizes
“the Church of God” as the community
into which the baptized individual has
been incorporated.
After having baptized a child, the minister will
now receive him, saying, “The Church of God welcomes
you with great joy,” according to a 22 Feb. decree of the
Congregation for Divine Worship signed by Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect, and Archbishop Arthur
Roche, secretary. The previous text read, “The Christian
community welcomes you with great joy.” The change
took effect on 31 March in the Latin typical edition of the
baptismal texts, and is to be implemented in future vernacular editions.
- CNA
Pope Francis names Archbishop Parolin as Secretary of State
Pope Francis on
31 Aug tapped a
veteran Vatican
diplomat to be his
top aide, replacing the Secretary
of State Card.
Bertone. The Vatican announced
that Archbishop Pietro Parolin, 58,
an Italian and former deputy foreign
minister at the Vatican, on 15 October takes on the position held since
2006 by Italian Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone SDB. The Cardinal will remain in the post until then, giving
Parolin, currently serving as Papal
envoy to Venezuela, time to prepare
for his new duties as the Vatican’s
No. 2 official. http://www.ucanews.com
Poland, to host
Youth Day 2016
World
Krakow, Poland, will be the site of
the next World Youth Day, in 2016.
Pope Francis made the announcement shortly after celebrating the
final Mass of this year’s World
Youth Day before a crowd of more
than 3 million people on Copacabana
beach, Brazil. Upon hearing the
Pope’s words, young pilgrims from
Poland shouted joyfully, waving red
and white polish flags.
- CNA
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Vocation Story
“The Will of God in my Superiors!”
Abba Samala narrates his Vocation Story…..
My name is John (Jonas) Samala. I was
born in Adakambarai-Kattupadi in 1938,
near Vellore in Tamil-Nadu, South of
India. After my early school in my village, I went to Vellore Don Bosco. At a
retreat I attended, the preacher always
began his sermons with Jesus’ words,
“What does it profit a man if he gains the
whole world but loses his soul.” This
made an impression on me. On 15th August (1952) the Feast of the Assumption,
I was chosen to play the lead role in the
opera: Aloysius Gonzaga (the patron for
youth in the church then). This made me
eager to be a Priest when I grew up.
Through my regular talks with my spiritual guide and rector (1950-55), Fr.
Hugho Tuena,s.d.b., I was guided to this way of life. Fr. Hubert Rozario my rector and head
master then (1955-56) reminded me of my promise to Fr. Tuena to become a priest. I went to the
Novitate at Yercaud on 24 May, 1958. Fr. Archimede Pianazzi, the then Provincial of Madras
inducted us into the Novitiate. He introduced us to Frs. Egidius Sola, the Novice Master and
Mauro Casarotti, the Rector. Msgr. Louis Mathias s.d.b, the Archbishop of Madras- Mylapore
gave us the cassock on 15 August 1958. My parents and family present on that occasion were so
happy to see me in cassock. The cold weather caused me to contract para – typhoid which left me
deaf for more than two weeks along with bronchial asthma. Thankfully and through the grace of
our Blessed Mother, the doctors certified in the Christian Medical College Hospital at Vellore,
that I was fit enough to continue with my Salesian life. I made my first religious profession on
the 24th May 1959 into the hands of my then holy Provincial John Med s.d.b.
Together with Br. M.O. Mathew, I was sent to Lonavla, a new aspirantate, opened at the
end of May 1962. There were students from Kerala and from Bombay and Vasai and Goa to
begin with. They were in all 31 of them. We began the first year of aspirantate with Std VIII+
Std IX. Our First Rector was Fr. Joseph Murphy, s.d.b., former Principal of Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu. The number increased to 62 in the second year and to 93 by the
third year. I was able to teach as a full-fledged teacher since I had done my teachers' Training
Course recognized by the Government. In my second half of third year Fr. Antonio Alessi s.d.b.,
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Vocation Story
former Rector of Mandalay in Burma and thirteen years Provincial of Northern India Missions
was appointed as Rector to replace for Joseph Murphy, who went to St. Bede's High School in
Chennai.
It was Fr. Alessi who recommended me to go to Poonamallee to do my theological studies
instead of going to then existing Theologate where the climate was very cold. I was fortunate to
make my perpetual profession at Yercaud into the hands of my previous Rector Fr. Hugho Tuena
s.d.b., (who was the holy mentor of early Vocation at Vellore-Don Bosco High School+ Boarding) on the 24th May 1965. For my theological studies, I went to Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamalle, Chennai. It was under the management of the Salesians. I was an exception to be admitted for health reasons, otherwise we were sent to Shillong (Meghalaya-Assam). It was the holy
Rector, Fr. Candido Valloggia s.d.b. who received me with open hands and nurtured my Salesian
Vocation to the Priesthood. In the Seminary, I was the General Secretary of the 20 Oratories and
also secretary to the Administrator, besides, my regular religious studies.
After four years of studies, I was ordained priest on the 21st December 1968 at Don Bosco
High School, Katpadi (Vellore). It was my alma mater from 1959 to 1965. I was ordained priest
by the then Bishop of Vellore, Rt. Mgr. David Marianayagm,d.d.,s..d.b. I was ordained on 21st
December 1968 together with four more Salesians. Then I was asked to proceed to Mumbai Region to serve in various capacities: as administrator at St. Joseph's Technical School,(1969-72);
Principal of St. Joseph High School, Wadala (1972-75); Rector + Principal at Panjim, Goa (197578); Principal at Don Bosco High School, Borivli (1978-80); I was asked to go for an ongoing
Formation Course at Pisana from March 1980 to June and three months trip to the USA for Mission preaching. Then on return, I was appointed as Parish Priest + In-charge + Principal at Yervada (1981-84) etc., etc., I was appointed as Principal of Don Bosco High School at Matunga
(1985-1989). Then I was requested to serve in the newly formed Province of Hyderabad. I served
as Novice Master in Andhra Pradesh at Manoharabad from (1993 to 1997).
In May 1998 there was an emergency in Ethiopia, East Africa. I most willingly accepted to
go to the "AET" vice Province and served as vicar at Adigrat Formation House (1998 - 2000) and
rector (2000 to 2006) and delegate of formation. Then I was asked to be rector +Province Secretary from 2007 to 2013. There was much satisfaction in the way of my Salesian life because I
accepted the wish of my superiors as “God’s will after discernment with them”.
Eat brother
eat, because
you are what
you eat!!!
Pencil drawing by cl. Samson Mekonnen sdb
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Catholic World
Saved from Abortion,
News - World
Chilean twin brothers are now priests
Capsules
Two twin brothers in Chile say that their mother’s determination in protecting them abortion despite the advice of doctors helped
to foster their vocations to the priesthood.
Priests report marked
upsurge in confessions
“How can I not defend the God of life?” said Fr. Paul Lizama. “This even strengthened my vocation and gave it a specific
vitality, and therefore, “I am convinced of what I believe, of what I
am and of what I speak, clearly by the grace of God,” he told CNA.
Fr. Paulo and his identical twin brother, Fr. Felipe, were born in 1984 in
Lagunillas de Casablanca.
Before discovering her pregnancy,
their mother, Rosa Silva, had exposed
herself to x-rays while performing her
duties as a paramedic. Consequently, after confirming the pregnancy, her doctor conducted ultrasounds and informed her that he had
seen “something strange” in the image. “The baby has three arms
and its feet are sort of entangled. It also has two heads,” he told her.
Although abortion for “therapeutic” reasons was legal at the
time in Chile and doctors told her that her life was in danger, Rosa
opposed the idea and said she would accept whatever God would
send her. The two brothers were born on 10 Sept 1984. Felipe was
born first, Paulo was born 17 minutes later. The twins were ordained
priests on 28 April 2012, and celebrated their first Mass at Our Lady
of Mercies in Lagunillas.
- CNA
Un declares Int. Day of Charity
On 5 Sept. the United Nations commemorated the anniversary of Bl. Mother Teresa of
Calcutta by declaring September 5th as the
International Day of Charity. According to
the UN website, the initiative was proposed
by Hungary “with the goal of creating a universal platform to raise awareness about the
importance of benevolent giving.” The UN headquarters in New
York will commemorate the day with panel discussions that will
highlight the role of charity in alleviating poverty in the world.
- Zenit
AET
Roman
Catholic
priests are reporting a
marked rise in the number
of people attending confession since the election
of Pope Francis - including people who had not
attended Church for decades. An informal survey
of clergy based in cathedrals across England and
Wales found that two
thirds had noticed an upturn in numbers taking
part in the Sacrament.
http://www.ucanews.com
Pope Ratzinger takes up
pen again
Once again, Pope emeritus
Benedict XVI has picked
up a pen and paper. In an
eleven-page letter addressed to atheist Piergiorgio Odifreddi, Ratzinger
defends Jesus as a historic
figure, explaining that the
Jesus of the Gospel existed
in real life. In his letter,
Benedict XVI addresses a
reference Odifreddi made
about Ratzinger's book
'Introduction to Christianity.' In fact, the atheist describes Theology as science fiction. CNA
Don Bosco Newslink
13
Gambella Mission
FORMING MEN FOR GAMBELLA!
Abba Baraki speaks about St. Bekhita Center,,,
When Msgr Angelo Moreschi started his mission in Gambella as Apostolic Prefect, there was no much organized institution of any kind except the actual Cathedral St. Joseph and
very few other centers. Practically, the Prefect began his Apostolic activity from scratch. The Salesians opened a
house that has slowly grown to the present technical school.
In the meantime, the Prefecture slowly but steadily
has grown and it opened many centers with some facilities:
chapels, halls, kindergartens, wells and agricultural facilities.
As a result of hard work of apostolic activities, at present they are eleven centers or parishes in the Vicariate. The Prefect has also started looking for local Ethiopian priests that led to the present success
story of the Vicariate. Actually, the Apostolic Vicariate of Gambella has nine Ethiopian diocesan
priests who take care of the eleven centers. They are from all over Ethiopia. It also has established a
minor seminary right in the Cathedral of Gambella and the students follow their studies in the State
secondary school as well as at the Salesian Technical School. The first candidates to the Priesthood attended their philosophy and theology courses in the Institute of St. Francis where most of the Dioceses
and Vicariates as well as many religious communities do. Before the establishment of St. Bekhita Formation House the seminarians of Gambella were at the Seminary of Nekemte.
In 2009 Msgr. Angelo Asked the Provincial Fr. Gigantoni Genaro if I (Fr. Baraki Weldegabriel) could help the Vicariate at the new Formation House St. Bekhita. My answer was that I would be
available and disposed to work as Rector (in charge) of the House of Formation, and ever since I have
been at St. Bekhita Formation House of the Vicariate of Gambella. The last four years, the Formation
House has had two priests and two deacons, and at present it has nine seminarians. One second year
theology; one first year theology; two second year philosophy; three first year philosophy and two in
propaedeutic which makes a total of nine seminarians.
Now, going back to the question that some our Salesian confreres may be asking the answer is
“I am trying to help form the seminarians for the Vicariate of Gambella”. As a matter of fact, the Vicariate has been asking for a younger Salesian priest for St. Bekhita Formation House and is still waiting for a positive answer from our Vice Province. In addition, to the Technical School, there two centers taken care of by our salesian confreres. Fr. Georgio Pontiggia and Brother Archetti Giancarlo are in
Pugnido. Brother Giancarlo also serves in the Technical School of Gambella from Monday to Friday and he goes to Pugnido from Friday to Monday to help Fr. Giorgio. This is very important center
that has more than 4,000 people. Fr. Perin Filippo has been also serving in another center (or Parish) in
the Vicariate of Gambella. Thus, several Salesians are involved in the mission of the Vicariate of Gambella. Let us continue to support this mission with our prayers let us gear all our efforts in bringing to
fruition the dream of Don Bosco also in the land of Gambella.
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
14
LITURGY
Some simple ways for priests to enhance the
beauty of the Mass
1. When making the Sign of the Cross upon himself at the beginning of mass the Celebrant uses his
right hand. But his left hand should not be left suspended in the air or dangling. He ought to place it
on his chest, just at the bottom of the breast bone as he makes the sign of the cross with his right
hand. When finished his hands should be rejoined in the center.
2. The same is true when blessing the people at the end. The celebrant places his left hand at the
bottom of his chest and he blesses the people with his right hand: fingers joined and straight. His right
and left motions should reach far enough, to his left and right shoulders. Again, when finished, his
hands should join in the center.
3. The hands – In general when the
celebrant is standing and his hands
are not in use they are joined, fingers straight and thumbs crossed at
his breast. When the celebrant is
seated, his hands should rest, separated, palms down, one on each
thigh, near the knee.
4. When the Celebrant moves
somewhere in the Sanctuary, he
ought to turn in that direction, hands
joined at the chest, prior to moving
in that direction. In general simply
stepping laterally to the left or right
should be avoided.
5. The bowing of the head – It is
appropriate at Mass to bow the head
at certain times, such as after the priest says, Let us pray,” or at the name of Jesus. The simple bow of
the head is accomplished entirely by the neck. The shoulders do not lunge and the torso does not
move at all. The neck is like a hinge and the bow of the head is accomplished entirely at the neck and
above.
6. Turning pages – When the priest is at the altar and turns the page of the missal, he does so
(usually) with his left hand, while his right hand rests on the altar, not suspended in the air or dangling.
7. Epiclesis – Likewise when the priest makes the sign of the cross over the bread and wine just prior
to the consecration he does so with his right hand, while his left hand rests on the altar, just outside
the corporal. The left hand is not dangling in the air etc.
Courtesy: www.cal-catholic.com
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
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Inspirational
Abba Alfred turns 80
The week-long celebration of the 80th birth day of Abba Alfred began on 29 Sept. Sunday
at the oratory, as the oratory children gathered around their beloved father to celebrate his 80 years.
The gathering had a more familial tone as the children
felt free to express their feelings towards their grandpa
through dances, songs and poems. The special attraction of the gathering was the drama named “EIGHTY”,
which narrated briefly the life sketch of Abba Alfred.
The community level celebration was held on 1st Oct,
Tuesday on the feast of St. Theresa of Child Jesus. It
was a large gathering of people where the religious
communities of Adigrat and the neighboring salesian
communities participated in the evening Mass and followed by the festive dinner. The communities took part
in large numbers to show their respect and admiration for this great veteran salesian of the north.
“If I were to be born a hundred times, all the hundred times I would wish to be a salesian again”,
said Abba Alfred during the sharing that he had with the confreres of the community. Needless to
say, these words made a great impact on the young salesians of the community as they came from a
person of lived experience. As we wish him a very Happy Birthday, we ask the Almighty to shower His choicest blessings on Abba Alfred.
BOSCO CHILDREN
bids farewell to Abba Dino….
Fr. Dino, after a dedicated service of more than 10 years wishes good bye
to his loved home at Bosco Children. Fr. Dino, during these years of his service at
the Bosco Children had become the father and mentor of hundreds of street kids
whose future would have been a big question mark had it not been for their encounter with the
Bosco Children. Certainly, it was difficult not only for Fr. Dino but also for the whole staff and
children to wish good bye to their beloved Abba. This is how Cl. Gigi, one of the practical trainees, summarized the feelings of the inmates of Bosco Children at the departure of Abba Dino.
“Abba Dino was the real living Don Bosco in Bosco Children in these past ten years. His
kindness, strength, prayer, good example, hard work, generosity, concern for others, service, simplicity, spirituality, joy, love and patience are never unforgettable from the hearts of the children
and all who lived with him. It isn't only our vice province that is lucky to have him, but the whole
congregation too. His good seeds are sown in all parts of Ethiopia through all these beloved poor
children. He has taught specially to the children how to thank, how to forgive and how to ask in his
don Bosco style. It is beautiful to live with him forever. May God be with him wherever he is”.
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
16
Salesian World
Ordination to Priesthood 23/06/2013
Deacon Brehane
Weldegabriel sdb,
originally hailing
from Sassi in the
Northern part of
Tigray, and completed his Theological studies in
Nairobi, was ordained a priest in the Holy Savior
Cathedral in Adigrat by his Lordship Abuna
Tesfaselassie on 23 June, 2013. The function was
attended by good many young Salesians who had
come also for the annual retreat in Adigrat. More
than 300 invited guests participated in the festive
lunch which was served at Don Bosco Gol’a. We
wish all the very best to Abba Brehane who has begun his new assignment in Mekelle as the in-charge
of the Aspirants.
The ‘Youth Meet’ at Mekanissa
(27-30, June 2013)
A three day ‘Youth Meet’ was organized at the
Bosco Children, Mekanissa by the Youth Pastoral
Department of
the
province
under the leadership of Abba
Feleke.
The
event witnessed
the large gathering of animators from all
the various presences in Ethiopia. The participants
numbered about 250 youth along with the respective
in-charges of the oratories. The event was marked
by various sessions on personality development,
faith formation, group dynamics etc. The Meet was
concluded on 30 June with the Solemn Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Addis Abeba, Brehane
Yesus at the Mary Help of Christians Shrine in
Mekanissa.
Fr. Selvam preaches the Annual Retreats in Ethiopia
“Jesus Experience, The Core of Christian Life
Journey”, was the theme of the retreat
preached in our province by Fr. Sahaya G.
Selvam, an Indian confrere, missionary in the
East African Province of AFE. As the theme
suggests itself, the whole objective of the retreat had been to
highlight the importance of a personal
encounter
with Jesus, the Galilean Master. The
retreat evolved in
two phases. The first phase was held from
25th June to 1st July in Gol’a, Adigrat and the
second phase from 5th July to 10th July in Dilla, the most “Fruitful” community of our
province. Needless to say, both the retreats
were certainly moments of grace for every
individual confrere and for the whole province.
“Pochi ma bravi,” New Scholastic
Year in Adigrat
The new
scholastic
year has
begun in
Adigrat
with 8 students, 7 in
the First
year and 1 in the Second year. The majority
of the students are hailing from the northern
part of Ethiopia while two clerics are from the
south. All of them are eager and enthusiastic
to begin their study of philosophy and have
already made a great impression on the inhabitants of Gol’a with their youthful fervor, enthusiasm and their charismatic presence in the
oratory.
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
17
Salesian World
Debrezeith welcomes the new Novices
The Lord continues to bless our
vice-province
with new vocations every year.
As we had 7
novices
who
made their first
profession this year, 8 have entered the novitiate
on Sept. 8 to begin their year of the novitiate.
Out of the eight new novices, four are hailing
from the north while the other four are from the
southern and central part of Ethiopia. Six of
them are for the Salesian Priesthood while two of
them are for Salesian Brotherhood. It is also to
be noted that among these young men, there is a
graduate in Economics, and four of them with
their diplomas in various other subjects. According to Abba Ignacio the novice master, they are
all very happy and have begun the year in full
zeal dreaming of the day when they would be
full-fledged salesians. Let us support them with
our prayers!
Fr. Chris Saldhana animates Rectors’
Meet in Addis (6 - 13 Oct)
Fr. Chris Saldana from the
formation
commission in
Rome animated the Rectors’ meet in
Addis.
The
meeting was a
week-long
programme organized for all the rectors of the
vice-province. The meet carried the title: “The Formation of the Rectors” which touched upon some
of the key points like: Service of authority in the
Church, The meaning of authority, Don Bosco,
model of the salesian rector, Figure of the Salesian
Rector today, The role of the rector in building up
community etc. The course was highly appreciated
by all the participants as the themes discussed were
very practical topics with daily application in community life.
Flag Day celebrated in Gambella
New aspirants in Mekelle
23/Sept/2013
St. Frumentius Salesian Seminary of Mekelle
gets 11 new boys this year thus adding up the total number of aspirants to 27 in
this new scholastic year. The new
ones arrived in
the seminary on
the 14th of Sept.
“Unlike the previous years, the new aspirants will frequent the
Catholic School of Bl. Gebremichael instead of
the Ayder Secondary School as in the previous
years”, said Abba Brehane Weldegebriel the new
in-charge of the aspirants. This decision has been
taken after the recommendation from the extraordinary visitor Fr. Guillermo Basañes.
Sept. 23rd, the
Flag Day in
Ethiopia had a
special color
for Gambella
as the students
and the staff of
Don
Bosco
Gambella participated in the event with great enthusiasm. The
students of both Technical School and the Primary
School were part of the procession that went from
Don Bosco up to the stadium. There were more
than 500 students along with their teachers who
marched to the Gambella Stadium to show their
patriotism and love for the country.
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
18
Interview
A moment with our New Provincial
1. Fr. Estifanos, would you like to recall your feelings
as you received the call from the Rector Major asking
your availability to be the Provincial of AET?
When I received the call from the Rector Major, I was
frightened, and I felt that I was not up to the office. I
asked for some time to pray, discern and consult some
one to guide me in this process. It was after three days
that I have answered to the Rector Major.
2. What are the areas of concern that you would like to focus your attention on, in the coming six years of your term as the Provincial of AET?
I think the first priority is always the formation especially in the initial stage. We have a big challenge on planning and management at all levels. Self-sustainability will be another priority to
meet the financial situation of our communities.
3. According to you, what are some of the positive aspects of our vice-province which make
you feel encouraged and motivated at this moment?
We have good confreres who are working with enthusiasm. The Salesian Charism is taking root
in the province. I think we have good structures to carry out our mission. There is a good relationship both with the local church and the government and there is acceptance by the people to
whom we are sent. We have a lot of young people coming to our centers.
4. According to you what are some of the challenges that are facing our vice-province?
We need to strengthen our Salesian religious identity and we need to have a strong community
life. There is the biggest challenge that is the financial constrain that has to be addressed with
good management and projects of self-sustainability.
5. What will be your “keyword” for the animation and governance of this province for the
coming six years of your term as the provincial?
We need to be men of prayer. We need to work together for the mission is given to the community not to the individual. We need to stress on the process of education not on activity.
6. What message would you like to impart to our confreres as you take up this new office
as the Provincial of AET?
The Rector Major has given to us his recommendations in the extraordinary visit through his letter
to follow as much as possible the Provincial Chapter five document at all level; individual, community, and provincial in preparation for the bi-centenary of the birth of Don Bosco.
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
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Inspirational
THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID!
Musings of Confreres on Abba Samala
Abba Samala! You certainly will be missed. I know we all come to appreciate
you even more when we try to fill the void that you have left. The 15 years
you have worked here have been marked by unsurpassed dedication, sense of
humor and excellence. You have been an inspiration to us all – “till you become the most quoted person here, after the Bible!” In retrospect, all of us
will realize that you have made our work easier because you anticipated our
needs. And some of us have additional personal reasons for our gratitude, for
you have given special attention to our specific needs. Without going into detail, we give you special thanks for your caring. We thank you for all you have done and all you
have taught us and send our very best wishes for a happy new ministry back in India!
Abba Brehane (Zway)
It could have been written a book of hundreds of pages about the life
and works of dear Abba Samala. His full knowledge about the life of Don
Bosco, his warm welcoming of the confreres and guests in the Provincial house,
his way of making fun and creating joy during the feasts, his fast communicative skills, his constant prayer for the sick, or departed salesians or their relatives, his way of living in poverty and in the style of Don Bosco, and so on are
very much unforgettable in our vice province. Cl. Gigi (Bosco Children)
He has been a precious gift for the AET province with his welcoming face, availability and dedication. He has been cooperative, creative and active in all the
houses to which he has been assigned with the different responsibilities that have
been entrusted to him to carry out. His initiative in the prayer animation has been
something which always gave life to the practices of piety and from which every
fellow confreres could learn a lot. Cl. Tsehaye (Makelle)
Although Abba Samala has gone back to his province of origin,
his memories remain indelible in the minds of the confreres of AET province. There are many qualities of his character that made him an endearing
person to all of us. However what made him unique is his sense of humor
and sensitivity to others. Fr. Samala’s quick wit and humor put people at
ease and laughing in every situation. But through his humor he also drove
home some points for those who listened to him. He was also very sensitive to the needs of others and went out of his way to anticipate them and come to their help. Often what touches people
and make them remember someone is not so much his accomplishments as the quality of his relationship with others. Abba Samala certainly excelled in this. Abba Thomas (Dilla)
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
20
Inspirational
Abba John Samala, missionary from Bombay, India. When he arrived in Ethiopia, Adigrat people confused his name with the Ethiopian name of St. Frammintius, the first Bishop of Ethiopia because in Ethiopia St. Frammentius is called
Abune Selama which can be translated as “peaceful bishop.” After knowing the
meaning abba Samala liked it. And when I reflect on the life of Abba Samala he
really deserves the same adjective. Especially when I look at him as religious he
was really another “Kesaate Berhan” which is another adjective of St. Framentius in Geez langue meaning “bearer of light”. As religious Abba samala is bearer of light. I cannot enumerate all the religious and the salesian virtues of Abba Samala but to mention some of
them:
As a Religious
Simple Life Style = Reflection of the deep sense of Poverty
Availability = Reflection of the vow of Obedience
Open and Balanced Relationship= the Foundation of the Chastity
As a Salesian
Family Spirit:- that goes beyond every barrier, reaching from conferrer to conferrer, reaches
the family and the whole background of each individual confrere.
Welcoming Attitude: - Stops any work, gives full attention whenever any salesian arrives and
accommodates him with full of humors for which he is known in the whole province by the
salesians and other religious and secular priests.
Youthful Spirit: - When he was the rector in Adigrat, he was in his sixties but he managed to
play every day with children and the young.
Abba Sebhat (Adigrat)
I am happy to say some word about abba Salama (as he was used to call himself).
I had the opportunity to collaborate with him and to be welcome in our house of
Gotara. I must say that I found in him a welcoming person, ready to help a confrere or a guest when he was in need. Speaking about another aspect, he has a
great memory in remembering the number and the articles of our Constitutions,
but not only. He has the great quality to remember the names of the persons, gests
that were passing through our house. The third aspect that I would like to underline is his availability to preach retreats in our communities. I appreciate this very important service that ha has been able to give to the confreres and in particular to the novices. May God bless
him and his future activities.
Abba Roberto (Dilla)
“That’s a quality I admire!” We praise people in well-chosen words and we have
some kind of a measure for greatness. How shall we praise Abba Samala and how
shall we measure him because he is not of the common clay that all of us are made
of. Very simple and humble priest, who in his simple approach won all of us and
taught us in the sense of humor especially his ironical methods of teaching and correcting people is remarkable, that’s a quality I admire... I wish him all the best in
his ministry as he begins.
Abba Brehanu (Bosco Children)
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
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CHURCH ISSUES
WHAT POPE FRANCIS REALLY SAID...
On the first day of class, our Scripture Professor gave us three fundamental rules needed to
understand the Scripture: context, context, context! Every verse of Scripture, he said, needs to be
read in its context. This «golden rule» is important and relevant for (almost) every aspect of lif e!
And it's important for us to understand what Pope Francis says in context and not treat his words
as headline-grabbing news bites!
Much noise was made about the Pope's statement on homosexuality on a flight back from brazil: «if a person is
gay and seeks GOD and has good will, who am I to
judge?» We seem to have forgotten the first part of that
statement! Further, how different is this statement from
the official Church teaching: «the number of men and
women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is
not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must
be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should
be avoided...» (CCC. 2358)
Even more noise was made after Pope Francis'
interview with Antonio Spadaro SJ, for La Civiltà Cattolica, and several other major Jesuit journals around the
world. In the interview Pope Francis said: «during the return flight from Rio de Janeiro I said that
if a homosexual person is of good will and is in search of GOD, I am no one to judge. by saying
this, I said what the Catechism says.» Here's a catholic teens' understanding of that interview. Brilliant! Kudos to “catholicteenapologist”.
«….It amazes me how much people have chosen little excerpts from this interview and
taken them completely out of context in order to arrive at a false conclusion–but a conclusion,
nevertheless, that fits a specific agenda. The hot button issue, the thing that has made many provocative headlines for several news networks, has been the section where Pope Francis discussed
this idea that the Church ought to stop focusing so much on issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Many people, following this wonderful line of logic wherein they refuse to look at context,
have taken this to mean that Pope Francis somehow disagrees with the Church’s teachings or that
he is somehow being excessively liberal in saying these things. One article even went so far to ask
(in all seriousness, although obviously with a pun intended): Is the Pope Catholic?!
Let’s look at this issue in particular, since this (oddly enough) is what everyone wants to
talk about. In context, what Pope Francis has said is profound but, sadly enough for those who
would like to believe otherwise, completely and utterly in line with Church teaching. Sorry to
burst everyone’s bubble. Pope Francis is NOT saying that these issues are not important or even
that they don’t ever need to be addressed. What he IS saying is that we have placed too much focus on the issues at hand and have failed to look at the person, the individual who is affected. You
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
22
CHURCH ISSUES
see, you can’t do Theology in a vacuum. It doesn’t work that way. It’s one thing to sit around in a
room and come up with some profound theological thinking on a topic and quite another to try to
teach that and apply that to the lives of everyday Catholics and everyday people in general. In this
interview, Pope Francis challenges us to look at the person and to love that person. We first have to preach the
Good News of Jesus Christ. We have to tell them about
the love and mercy of God, about the sacrifice of Christ
on the Cross, about the love of the Church and about her
mission and her support. THEN, he says, “it is from this
proposition that the moral consequences then flow.”
The problem is that we’ve made these issues all
about rules. We say homosexual acts are sinful, we say
that abortion is evil…but we haven’t said WHY these
statements are true. WHY should I not abort my child? WHY should I not be in this relationship?
WHY??? That WHY is what we have been profoundly lacking. You don’t follow the Church’s
moral teachings because you are obliged to or because you don’t want a slap on the hand if you
don’t. You follow the Church’s moral teachings because you believe them to be true. You believe
them to be true because you believe the heart of the Church’s message. The heart of the Church’s
message is Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is LOVE. So, by following these teachings, you are responding to love. THAT is what we have to show people. THAT is Pope Francis’ point. Not that
we should be afraid to speak out against
injustice, not that we should shy away
from speaking about moral issues, but that
THAT is Pope Francis’ point. Not
we must start with the heart of the teachthat we should be afraid to speak out
ing: Jesus. We must first love them and
against injustice, not that we should
preach the Gospel to them. The conseshy away from speaking about moral
quences of that message, as Pope Francis
issues, but that we must start with the
says, will follow naturally. There is one
heart of the teaching: Jesus.
quote in particular from this section that I
think could greatly inform discussion if
people would pay attention to it. Here is what Pope Francis says: “The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with
the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently. Proclamation in
a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things: this is also what fascinates
and attracts more, what makes the heart burn, as it did for the disciples at Emmaus.
We don’t need to beat people over the head with the Catechism until they can’t function
properly. We need to set their hearts on fire with love by telling them about the One who IS Love.
That love will motivate them and inspire them. After they know about this Love, after they have
encountered the Risen Jesus through us, then it is possible to start dialogue about these issues. Because by then, the conversation is based in Love, not back and forth banter. “…The moral consequences then flow.” »
Fr. Vinod Mascarehans SDB
AET
Don Bosco Newslink
23
Friends of Ethiopia
“Amici del Sidamo” Marks
30 Years!
Invited and completely supported by their organization, the Provincial, the Vicar and the
Economer participated in the beautiful celebration of the anniversary of this worthy and meritorious
Association called Amici del Sidamo held in Milan,
on 22 Sept, 2013. As used to be the custom every
year, they had first, on September 21, the gathering
for the so called Meskerem, a day dedicated, by the
different groups, to present a report on ‘Summer Together’ in Ethiopia. This year, these volunteers were
many, from the North to the Centre and to the South
and West of our province. Videos, talks, music,
jokes, dances and the presentation of the new programme for the whole year 2013-14, full of camps of
work, events and retreats characterized this Meskerem. The atmosphere was in the spirit of family,
in a well sound Salesian way and for the love of Ethiopia. Our provincial was applauded and gave a
short talk.
On 22nd Sunday, on the proper day of the anniversary, a crowded St. Augustine church, the
Salesian parish of via Copernico, witnessed the Amici del Sidamo animating the Mass presided over by
the provincial of ILE with the presence of some thirty concelebrants. Nice singing, moving involvement, touching words of Fr. Giorgio Zanardini read by Fr. Claudio Cacioli, the provincial, and a ‘holy’
participation to the Eucharistic banquet marked the liturgical function. Without being an official group
of the Salesian Family, these youths are a perfect expression of the SYM and walk in the path of the
Salesian Spirituality, faithfully open to the needs of the poor, hardworking, in a well-organized and
communitarian generosity. From their ranks vocations of special consecration sprang out in this past 30
years, especially for the SDB and FMA. ‘Christifideles Laici’ has a proof of what it means to be
Church for Lay people. In the afternoon, the programme continued in the big hall of the main Salesian
house of Milan. Our presence has been much appreciated and we got a fantastic hospitality wherever
we went. Indeed we had the chance and profited to visit the past missionaries (abba Franco, abba Riccardo, bro. Stefano), the relatives of abba Gianni and abba Sandro, the tombs of these 2 beloved confreres, the ex-provincials of ILE… and many other Salesians, communities and Amici del Sidamo.
So, really ten days of intense and rich opportunities and gifts and examples. Our relation and
long lasting collaboration with the Amici del Sidamo requires a better awareness from all of us and a
great sense of gratitude. In the coming year we are thinking to have a celebration of their anniversary
here in Ethiopia, too.
Abba Isidoro Apostoli sdb
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Inspirational
Good Bye to Abba Samala...
The province gave a fitting farewell to Abba
Samala as he left our vice-province on 18th September 2013, after a long dedicated service of 15 years in
Ethiopia. The programme was organized on 17 Sept.
as it was also the Birthday of our beloved Br. Cesare
Bullo. There were several salesians from different
regions of Africa as there was a seminar for the youth
animators conducted by Fr. Fabio Attard from the
Youth Pastoral Department in Rome. The presence of
the Nuncio Msgr. George Panikulam from the Vatican Embassy, gave a solemn touch to the occasion.
After the evening prayers and a short message by the Nuncio, all were led to the refectory for the festive dinner. Abba Angelo Ragazzo in his usual style animated the family gathering and entertained
the crowd with his accordion and the party songs. In his reply speech abba Samala sang his masterpiece “Mesgana Mesgana” and thanked each and every confrere of the province for the love and concern shown to him during these years of his stay in Ethiopia. He was grateful to God for having given him the occasion to serve our province for the past 15 years. As we wish all the very best to Abba
Samala in his future ministry, we would like to tell him that he is leaving a great void in our province
and all the more in our hearts which can never be filled adequately by anyone.
A memorable day in our lives!
A post-novice remembers the Day of Profession...
After a full year of reflection and prayer we are able to
bind ourselves with the One who has called us! We, seven of us
were glad to profess in the Salesian Congregation on 8th September, 2013 at Debrezeith. As we know from our Constitutions art.
23 which says: “The Religious Profession is the sign of a loving
encounter between the Lord who calls and the disciple who responds by himself totally to God and to his brothers and sisters.
It was a time to praise God with the Salesians and our
own family. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Estifanos our provincial, in the presence of so
many salesian priests, brothers and religious. The Holy Mass started with the procession to the chapel with seven of us accompanied by the priests. During the homily Fr. Provincial insisted very much
that the vocation is not a generic thing but an individual encounter with the Lord, and to set out ourselves to the young is the best part in life as the better part chosen by Mary in the Gospel of Luke.
Yes, we are grateful to the Lord and our prayer today is that this better part may never be taken away
from us.
Cl. Tariku Elias SDB
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Spirituality
Sanctity in the salesian family
Stephen Sándor, a New Blessed in the Congregation
Stephen Sandor was born in Szolnok, in Hungary, on 26 November 1914 as son
of Stephen and Maria Fekete, first of three brothers. His father worked with the
State Railways, and the mother at home. Both gave their children a deep religious spirit. Stephen studied in the city gaining a diploma in metallurgy. As a
youngster he was admired by his friends, and was happy, serious and gentle. He
liked hanging around with his friends, and was a leader amongst them, like
John Bosco was for the young people of Chieri. He helped his younger brothers
to study and pray, giving them his own example. He was fervent at the time of
his Confirmation and promised to imitate St Peter, whose name he took for
Confirmation.
Came to know about Don Bosco through the Salesian Bulletin
Each day he served Mass at the Franciscans and received Communion. Reading the Salesian
Bulletin he came to know about Don Bosco. He immediately felt attracted by the Salesian charism. He
spoke to his spiritual director, expressing a desire to enter the Salesian Congregation. He spoke to his
parents about it. They did not give permission and sought to dissuade him. But Stephen ended up convincing them, and in 1936 he was accepted at the Clarisseum, where he made an aspirantate of two
years. He completed a course in how to be a printer at the “Don Bosco” Printery. He began his novitiate but it was interrupted by military service.
Model teacher
In 1939 he began to complete his novitiate and made his first vows on 8 September 1940.
Asked to go to the Clarisseum, he immediately began to teach technical courses. He was also assistant
at the Oratory, something he did competently and enthusiastically. He fostered the Young Catholic
Workers. His group was recognized as the best in the Movement. Following Don Bosco's example, he
became a model teacher. In 1942 he was called back to the Front, and earned a silver medal of military
valour. He made a festive oratory out of the trenches encouraging his young friends in a Salesian style.
At the end of the Second World War he involved himself in rebuilding society morally and materially,
especially in the case of poor young people whom he gathered around him in order to teach them a
trade. On 24 July 1946 he made his perpetual profession as a Salesian Brother. In 1948 he gained the
title of Master Printer. Stephen's students, when they completed their studies, were employed by the
best printeries in the State and in the city.
Cause of martyrdom
A period of persecution of Catholic schools began, and they had to close. Stephen was working
in the printery, but he had to escape and hide in Salesian Houses, working under a false name in public
Printeries. In July 1952 he was arrested while working, and his confreres never saw him again. His
Cause of martyrdom was opened at Budapest on 24 May 2006.
Courtesy: www.sdb.org
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