St. John Bosco Today April-June 2024

Features

Tips on How to Pray according to St. Francis of Sales

— Philip Kosloski, page 6

Letter for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis, page 8

On the Year of Prayer

—H.E. Msgr. Rino Fischella, page 12

Prayer & The Scriptures

— Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB, page 16

Prayer in the Digital Age

— Bruce L. Buenaventura and Marcus Mathew A. Salugsugan, page 19

Do Young people Still Pray?

— Ludvik Vista, page 22

Vocation

From Curiosity to Adventure

—Jian Wagan, page 48

Reflections

On Prayers

— Rosalinda P. Pabalan, page 26

Gratitude & Presence

— Mrs. Cory Villafania, page 28

PRE: From a Prayer Journal

— Novice Wilson Alo, page 32

Prayer & Beauty

—Reg Silva, page 38

Daily On Writing Professional Email

Martha Ilagan, page 53

Mariology

MHC National Shrine & Mary Major Basilica

Mr. Andrew Chanco, page 44

News

Centenary of the Death of Mother Catherine Daghero page, 56

This issue of St. John Bosco Today shines a warm spotlight on the essence of prayer in celebration of the Year of Prayer.

These pages unite us to explore the thoughts, reflections, best practices, and even the honest struggles of some cherished members of the Salesian Family on Prayer.

Our inspiration for this theme goes beyond just following a trend; it's about reconnecting with the profound legacy of our beloved Father, St. John Bosco.

In a speech of the Rector Major, Don Bosco’s 10th successor, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime challenges us Salesians to “recognize that in the Congregation, depth of interior life is not our strength. I refuse to think, I told you that this is part of our Salesian DNA because Don Bosch was not like that, nor did he want us to be. Having recognized this weakness with the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to find the strength to reverse this trend” (GC27, Final speech of the RM, 3.2).

As I delved into the heartfelt articles contributed by these members of the Salesian Family, I was filled with joy at the vibrant expressions of our unique Salesian spirit. It's not about imitation but a genuine, lived experience of faith, reaching out to commune with our Lord.

Fr. Ronel, our novice director, beautifully reflects on how Don Bosco's life mirrored his prayer, and vice versa—a powerful reminder of the integral role prayer played in his mission as Father and Teacher of the Young.

From Wilson's discernment journey to the heartfelt accounts of Sis Rose and Tita Wilma, we are graciously invited into the intricate tapestry of prayer woven into their lives.

Even our young people, navigating the fast-paced digital age, candidly share their struggles and strategies for staying connected with the Divine amidst the chaos.

It's a profound realization that we inherit a treasure trove of prayer from Don Bosco himself—a man who seamlessly blended nature and grace.

As you journey through these pages, may you, too, discover and appreciate the rich tapestry of prayer within our Salesian Family, a legacy worth sharing with the world.

Every Friday, the Don Bosco Aspirantate Community gathers around the Blessed Sacrament for the Eucharistic Adoration.

In the Eucharist, we encounter Him as the Victim of merciful love, and it is the nature of love that calls for a return in kind. St. Francis of Sales would remind us that the appropriate response is “I love you, too.”

Let this be our prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BORORO

Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day

Dear friends of the Salesian Bulletin,

I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.

But my Salesian confreres arrived 122 years ago, and since then we’ve always been present in this mission in the midst of forests and fields, accompanying the life of this indigenous people.

In 1976, a Salesian and an Indian were robbed of their lives with two gunshots by facendeiros (great landowners). They are the Servant of God Rodolfo Lunkenbein, a Salesian, and the Indian Simão Bororo, killed because the landowners believed that the Salesians of the mission were standing in the way of their appropriating more land that belongs to the Boi-Bororo people.

Yesterday, we had the joy of experiencing many simple moments. We were welcomed by the indigenous community upon our arrival and greeted each other – without haste – because here everything is unhurried. We celebrated Sunday Mass, shared rice and feijoada (bean stew), and chatted from time to time.

For the afternoon, they’d prepared a meeting for me with the leaders of the various communities. A few women chiefs were present; in several villages a woman has the ultimate authority. We chatted. They shared their thoughts with me and presented me with some of their needs.

During one of these moments, a young Salesian, a Boi-Bororo, took the floor. He’s the first Bororo to become a Salesian after 122 years of our being together in this land. This also speaks to us of the need to give things time. Things are not as we think and want them to be in today’s efficient and pragmatic world.

I know that we’ll remain here, God willing, for many years to come, because one can be a Bororo and a son of Don Bosco, and a son of Don Bosco and a Bororo who loves and cares for his village and his people.

This is how this young Salesian spoke before his village, his people, and their leaders or authorities: “I’m a Salesian but I’m also Bororo; I’m Bororo but I’m also a Salesian. The most important thing for me is that I was born in this very place, that I met the missionaries, that I heard about the two martyrs, Fr. Rodolfo and Simão, and that I saw my town and my people grow –thanks to the fact that my people walked together with the Salesian mission and the mission walked together with my people. This is still the most important thing for us: to walk the road together.”

I thought for a moment of how proud and happy Don Bosco would be to listen to one of his Salesian sons and member of this people (like other Salesians who come from the Xavante or the Yanomani peoples).

At the same time, I assured them during my talk that we want to continue to walk alongside them and we want them to do everything possible to continue to care for and save their culture – and their language – with our full help. I told them that I’m convinced that our presence has helped them, but I’m also convinced of how good it is for us to be with them.

In the early days of our journey as a congregation, Don Bosco sent his first missionaries to Argentina. We are a congregation recognized for our charism of education and evangelization of young people, but we are also a very missionary congregation and family. From the beginning up to today, there have been more than 11,000 SDB Salesian missionaries and several thousand sisters, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Today, our presence among this indigenous people, which has 1,940 members and continues to grow little by little, makes perfect sense after 122 years together because they’re on the margins of the world – a world that sometimes doesn’t understand that it must respect who they are.

I also spoke with the matriarch, the eldest of them all, who came to greet me and tell me about her people. After a beautiful torrential rainstorm, we sat down at the site of the martyrdom, to recite the Rosary with great serenity on a beautiful Sunday evening (for it was already dark). There were many of us there, representing the reality of this mission: grandmothers, grandfathers, adults, young mothers, babies, small children, consecrated religious, and lay people – a great richness in the midst of the simplicity of this little part of the world that lacks power but that’s also chosen and loved by the Lord, as He tells us in His Gospel.

I know that we’ll remain here, God willing, for many years to come, because one can be a Bororo and a son of Don Bosco, and a son of Don Bosco and a Bororo who loves and cares for his village and his people.

In the simplicity of this meeting, today was a great day of life shared with indigenous people –a great missionary day. •

5 PRACTICAL TIPS ON HOW TO PRAY FROM ST. FRANCIS

Philip Kosloski

We are reprinting this article with explicit permission from its author from Aleteia.org

At times developing a prayer life can be a daunting task. There are so many resources out there and different ideas about prayer that a person can easily be overwhelmed.

Thankfully the saints have already forged a path for us and their writings can be a treasure-trove for those starting out in their spiritual life.

In particular, St. Francis de Sales, a spiritual master of the 16th century, wrote an invaluable guide to personal prayer in his Introduction to the Devout Life He wrote it specifically geared to laypeople, and it contains a wealth of spiritual insight. Below is a brief selection from his book that concerns the topic of prayer.

1. Begin prayer by placing yourself in the presence of God

Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by an act of the Presence of God. If you observe this rule strictly, you will soon see how useful it is.

2. Spend an extended period of time in prayer each day, preferably in the morning

Give an hour every day to meditation before dinner –if you can, let it be early in the morning, when your mind will be less cumbered, and fresh after the night’s rest. Do not spend more than an hour thus, unless specially advised to do so by your spiritual father.

3. Find a hidden place to make your prayer, away from everyone else

If you can make your meditation quietly in church, it will be well, and no one, father or mother, husband or wife, can object to an hour spent there, and very probably you could not secure a time so free from interruption at home.

4. Focus on quality, not quantity

[Do not strive] to say many words so much as seeking to say a few with your whole heart. One Our Father said devoutly is worth more than many prayers hurried over.

5. If you can’t pray in the morning, find a suitable alternative later in the day

If it should happen that your morning goes by without the usual meditation, either owing to a pressure of business, or from any other cause (which interruptions you should try to prevent as far as possible), try to repair the loss in the afternoon, but not immediately after a meal, or you will perhaps be drowsy, which is bad both for your meditation and your health. But if you are unable all day to make up for the omission, you must remedy it as far as may be by ejaculatory prayer, and by reading some spiritual book, together with an act of penitence for the neglect, together with a steadfast resolution to do better the next day. •

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

TO MSGR. RINO FISICHELLA, PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION, FOR THE JUBILEE 2025

To My Dear Brother

the Most Reverend Rino Fisichella president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization

The Jubilee has always been an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church. Ever since 1300, when Boniface VIII instituted the first Holy Year – initially celebrated every hundred years, then, following its biblical precedent, every fifty years, and finally every twenty-five years –God’s holy and faithful people has experienced this celebration as a special gift of grace, characterized by the forgiveness of sins and in particular by the indulgence, which is a full expression of the mercy of God. The faithful, frequently at the conclusion of a lengthy pilgrimage, draw from the spiritual treasury of the Church by passing through the Holy Door and venerating the relics of the Apostles Peter and Paul preserved in Roman basilicas. Down the centuries, millions upon millions of pilgrims have journeyed to these sacred places, bearing living witness to the faith professed in every age.

The Great Jubilee of the year 2000 ushered the Church into the third millennium of her history. Saint John Paul II had long awaited and greatly looked forward to that event, in the hope that all Christians, putting behind their historical divisions, could celebrate together the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of humanity. Now, as the first twenty-five years of the new century draw to a close, we are called to enter into a season of preparation that can enable the Christian people to experience the Holy Year in all its pastoral richness. A significant step on this journey was already taken with the celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which allowed us to appreciate anew all the power and tenderness of the Father’s merciful love, in order to become, in our turn, its witnesses.

In the last two years, not a single country has been unaffected by the sudden outbreak of an epidemic that made us experience first-hand not only the tragedy of dying alone, but also the

uncertainty and fleetingness of existence, and in doing so, has changed our very way of life. Together with all our brothers and sisters, we Christians endured those hardships and limitations. Our churches remained closed, as did our schools, factories, offices, shops, and venues for recreation. All of us saw certain freedoms curtailed, while the pandemic generated feelings not only of grief, but also, at times, of doubt, fear and disorientation. The scientific community quickly developed an initial remedy that is gradually permitting us to resume our daily lives. We are fully confident that the epidemic will be overcome and that the world will return to its usual pattern of personal relationships and social life. This will happen more readily to the extent that we can demonstrate effective solidarity, so that our neighbours most in need will not be neglected, and that everyone can have access to scientific breakthroughs and the necessary medicines.

We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope. This will indeed be the case if we are capable of recovering a sense of universal fraternity and refuse to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty that prevents millions of men, women, young people and children from living in a manner worthy of our human dignity. Here I think in particular of the many refugees forced to abandon their native lands. May the voices of the poor be heard throughout this time of preparation for the Jubilee, which is meant to restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone. As the Bible teaches, “The sabbath of the land shall provide food for you, for yourself and for your male and female slaves and for your hired servant

and the sojourner who lives with you; for your cattle also, and for the beasts that are in your land, all its yield shall be for food” (Lev 25:6-7).

The spiritual dimension of the Jubilee, which calls for conversion, should also embrace these fundamental aspects of our life in society as part of a coherent whole. In the realization that all of us are pilgrims on this earth, which the Lord has charged us to till and keep (cf. Gen 2:15), may we never fail, in the course of our sojourn, to contemplate the beauty of creation and care for our common home. It is my hope that the coming Jubilee Year will be celebrated and experienced with this intention too. Growing numbers of men and women, including many young people and children, have come to realize that care for creation is an essential expression of our faith in God and our obedience to his will.

To you, dear Brother, I entrust responsibility for finding suitable ways for the Holy Year to be planned and celebrated with deep faith, lively hope and active charity. The Dicastery charged with promoting the new evangelization can help make this season of grace a significant stimulus to the pastoral outreach of the particular Churches, both Latin and Eastern, which are called in these years to intensify their commitment to synodality. In this regard, our pilgrimage towards the Jubilee will express and confirm the shared journey that the Church is called to make, in order to be ever more fully a sign and instrument of unity in harmonious diversity. It will be important to foster a renewed awareness of the demands of the universal call to responsible participation by enhancing the charisms and ministries that the Holy Spirit never ceases to bestow for the building up of the one Church. The four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, together with the Magisterium of these recent decades, will continue to provide direction and guidance to God’s holy people, so that it can press forward in its mission of bringing the joyful proclamation of the Gospel to everyone.

In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “symphony” of prayer.

As is customary, the Bull of Indiction, to be issued in due course, will contain the necessary guidelines for celebrating the Jubilee of 2025. In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “symphony” of prayer. Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer, moreover, to thank God for the many gifts of his love for us and to praise his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and to take concrete and responsible steps to protect it. Prayer as the expression of a single “heart and soul” (cf. Acts 4:32), which then translates into solidarity and the sharing of our daily bread. Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart. Prayer as the royal road to holiness, which enables us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity. In a word, may it be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to accompany the Church on the journey of preparation for the grace-filled event of the Jubilee, and to you and your co-workers, with gratitude, I cordially send my Blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 11 February 2022, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes.

INTERVENTION OF ARCHBISHOP FISICHELLA

H.E. Msgr. Rino Fisichella – Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization

Section for the Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World

In recent weeks, on several occasions, Pope Francis has referred to the year 2024 as the ‘Year of Prayer’. Last Sunday during the Angelus he officially opened this Year which will be dedicated in a particular way to prayer. In the Letter of 11 February 2022 which he addressed to me to commission the Dicastery with the Jubilee, Pope Francis wrote: «In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “symphony” of prayer. Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer, moreover, to thank God for the many gifts of his love for us and to praise his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and to take concrete and responsible steps to protect it. Prayer as the expression of a single “heart and soul” (cf. Acts 4:32), which then translates into solidarity and the sharing of our daily bread. Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart. Prayer as the royal road to holiness, which enables us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity. In a word, may it be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples».

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presents the logo for the 2025 Jubilee Year, June 28, 2022.

Daniel Ibanez, Catholic News Agency

The year 2024 will therefore be one of preparation for the Jubilee which is about to begin and a year during which the spiritual significance of the Jubilee must emerge more clearly, something which goes far beyond the necessary and urgent forms of structural organization. As the Pope underlined in Te Deum at the end of last year: «The Christian, like Mary, is a pilgrim of hope. And this is precisely the theme of the Jubilee of 2025: ‘Pilgrims of hope’. Dear brothers and sisters, we might ask ourselves: is Rome preparing to become the “city of hope” during the Holy Year? [...] it is a question of the witness of the ecclesial and civil community, a witness that, more than events, consists in a life-style and in the ethical and spiritual quality of coexistence. And so the question one might ask is this: are we working, each person in his or her own sphere, so that the city may become a sign of hope for those who live there and those who visit?»

In order for the Jubilee to be an event that spiritually enriches the life of the Church and of the entire people of God, becoming a concrete sign of hope, it has to be prepared for and lived in individual communities with that spirit of expectation which is typical of Christian hope. The Year of Prayer fully corresponds to this need.

This is not a Year marked with particular initiatives; rather, it’s a privileged time in which to rediscover the value of prayer, the need for daily prayer in the Christian life; a time to discover how to pray, and above all how to educate the people of today in prayer, in this age of digital culture, so that prayer can be effective and fruitful. We cannot deny the fact that our time manifests a profound need for spirituality. The louder the cry of technology that seems to correspond to all our desires, the deeper we discern the search for a true spirituality that brings each person back to encounter themselves in the truth of their existence and therefore in a coherent relationship with God.

There are many people who pray every day; perhaps, I dare say, everyone prays. No statistic can give us a true picture, with figures and percentages, of this very intimate experience of people who know the multi-faceted nature of prayer in a completely personal way. From those who quickly make the sign of the cross, to those who participate in the daily Eucharist, there is such a

Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him.

vast range of ways of praying that no one can fully describe them all. From quick to distracted prayer; from contemplative prayer to prayer filled with tears of pain ... prayer cannot be captured in a pre-established pattern because it is a manifestation of the believer’s personal relationship with God himself within that intimate and exclusive relationship that distinguishes our faith. The Year of Prayer, therefore, fits into this context as a way of fostering the relationship with the Lord, offering moments of genuine spiritual rest. It is like an oasis sheltered from daily stress where prayer becomes nourishment for the Christian life of faith, hope and charity

For this reason, the Dicastery has prepared a series of materials and aids for the coming months and which can constitute a ‘symphony’ of prayer forms that the Christian community and individual believers can use. On the other hand, as Pope Francis wrote in the introduction to the first volume of the “Notes on Prayer” series: «Prayer is the breath of faith; it is its most proper expression. Like a cry that issues from the heart of those who believe and entrust themselves to God.»

It will not be a year which hinders initiatives of the local Churches; rather it should be seen as a period in which every planned initiative is supported effectively, precisely because it has prayer as its foundation. Therefore, we should not expect a series of specific events but, rather, ideas, suggestions, so that the prayer of the Church can once again reinvigorate and leave its mark on the life of every baptized person.

This year will be characterized by the expression the disciples addressed to Jesus: «Teach us to pray» (Lk 11:1). In fact we need to learn how to pray and the true Master can only be him: Jesus, the Son of God who with the prayer of the Our Father revolutionized the world of human prayer.

The motto «Teach us to pray» is already a prayer that arises from the depths of the heart with the desire to be answered. Within this prayer of invocation, it seemed appropriate to highlight some simple ideas that are largely already implemented daily in our communities.

It is therefore a question of revisiting our traditional forms of prayer which are well-known and lived out, but in this Year experiencing them more intensely and frequently, so as to make our relationship with the Lord more stable. •

PRAYER AND THE SCRIPTURES

Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

“Teach us to pray.” This may be one of the advices that a young person may ask of adults. It may be a request to teach them “how” to pray, or even the more simple expression to actually teach them to do the act of praying, however it is done. Whichever case it may be, the request comes from Luke 11:1 where the disciples saw Jesus praying and then asked him “Lord teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.”

Ave Maria Radio

This short article is meant to connect prayer and Sacred Scriptures—the Bible. One of the first things that we know from Catechism is that God has revealed himself and given himself to us. This revelation by God is also known as his divine self-communication. In revealing himself to us, God has used human words and Scripture is the written record of God’s self-communication. On our part, prayer is our response to God’s communication, for we commonly describe it as communication with God, or in modern parlance, “connecting with God.”

Prayer in Scriptures

The Bible is replete with characters who prayed. In the Old Testament we read of Abraham and the Patriarchs, Moses, the Judges, David, Solomon and the kings, the Prophets. They communicated with the Lord. In the New Testament, we find the apostles praying, especially Peter and Paul. In the Acts of the Apostles, we saw the value of prayer in the lives of the believers, as in Stephen. Mary was a model of prayer, one who magnified the Lord and meditated on the Word. The Gospel of Luke is the gospel of prayer and it is here where we especially see Jesus at prayer, many times withdrawing to deserted places. In both Matthew and Luke he teaches his disciples to pray and from this we find the model for all prayers: The Lord’s Prayer.

Scriptures as Prayer

The Bible has always been used as a prayer book.

A great part of Hebrew poetry is directed to God. In fact, the Book of Psalms is called Tehillim in Hebrew, meaning “praises,” almost all of which are directed to God. The book is used as the prayer book of the Jews because they express a diversity of human emotions: joy, sorrow, anger, fear, gratitude, and hope— sentiments that we bring to prayer. They also express deep faith and trust in God. Various psalms consist of prayers of lament, petition, praise and thanksgiving. Some of the psalms suggest that they are part of the prayers of the people in the Temple. The intimate and personal nature of many psalms allows individuals to connect with God on a deeply personal level, expressing their own thoughts, feelings, and desires in prayer.

The Bible has always been used as a prayer book.

In the other books we do find verses that are very similar to the psalms. These canticles are found in certain books apart from the poetry of the wisdom literature. These have been part of the prayer of the Jews and early Christians. Exodus 15, considered as the oldest part of the Bible, must have been a constant among the repertoire of hymns in the ancient Israelites communities. Among the many canticles we know the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:1-31), the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), the Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:1-6), the Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:1-14). From the Gospels, we find the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79), the Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Luke 2:14), and the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32). In Paul, we also find hymns (Phil 2:5-11, Col 1:15-20, 1 Tim 3:16) that may have been part of the early liturgy. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, presents to us that the end of everything is the heavenly liturgy, with the holy ones singing the “Song of the Lamb” (Rev 15).

Praying with Scriptures

We, as Catholics, have never been wanting in the use of Scriptures in our prayers. In fact, one of the criteria for the discernment of books in the New Testament is their constant use in the liturgy.

Indeed, the point of contact of many of us with the Bible is the liturgy itself. When we attend Mass, we are treated to readings from the Bible in the Liturgy of the Word. On weekdays, we have readings, usually from the Old Testament or from the Book of Acts or the Epistles. We have the responsorial psalms from the Book of Psalms or any of the canticles. Then, we have a reading from the gospels. On Sundays, the second reading is usually from the Epistles. The Divine Office takes passages from the Psalms and Canticles and also Scripture readings from the various books.

The Church has also given importance to the ancient practice of the Lectio Divina (“divine reading”) which is scriptural reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, that is intended to promote communion with God and spiritual growth.

Finally, many of our various devotions are Scriptural, in particular, the Angelus and the rosary. The Angelus recalls the Incarnation of Jesus recounted to us in the Annunciation of the angel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), solemnly pronounced: “And the Word was made flesh.” The rosary is a prayer of meditation primarily on the mystery of Christ. And even the prayers most familiar to us—the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary—are from Sacred Scripture.

Lord, teach us to pray! Let us open our Bibles—and pray. •

Jesuits of America

PRAYER IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Bruce L. Buenaventura and Marcus Mathew A. Salugsugan

Bruce and Marcus are Grade 11 students of Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati City. Both of them are also leaders of the Knights of the Altar in the SYM-FIN Provincial Level.

The digital culture heavily influences our lives. Young people have a love-hate relationship with information and communications technology. Hence, Pope Francis counsels us that technology may also lead to violence, exploitation, manipulation, and loneliness. Technology significantly influences young people as they delve into the worlds of pornography, fake news, academic dishonesty through Artificial Intelligence, and others.

On the other hand, other online applications have been developed that positively promote religion and spiritual experiences that help prevent young people from being influenced by these harmful technological advancements.

Our school, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati City, embraces both technology and faith since religion and service for the youth are part of Don Bosco’s Preventive System. We have experienced this in the Knights of the Altar sodality under the Salesian Youth Movement.

In these ministries, as we served in Holy Mass and our fellow youth, the use of technology, such as social media platforms, became a normal tool for communication. Moreover, the Salesians taught us online applications that support a life of holiness, such as iBreviary, Hallow, and even Spotify. We use these digital prayer booklets as second Companions of Youth (a Bosconian prayer book). We can proudly say, “We are Bosconians; of course, we have digital prayer booklets on our phones.”

The iBreviary app, in particular, is a great tool. We learned about it during “JuaNite,” a program held by the Salesians last March of 2023 that opened their community to Bosconians so we may experience what it’s like to be a Salesian. There, Bro. Paulo Calderon, SDB, introduced us to the digital prayer booklet and

showed us how to use it for daily prayer. From that moment on, we continued to use it for daily readings and morning prayers. As Knights of the Altar, it helped us to comprehend the Lectio Divina and the Order of the Mass. For us, iBreviary has become a daily part of our lives, and we hope it will bring other Bosconians closer to God.

These online apps help us build a prayerful life and make us part of a virtual community of prayer. During Lent of 2024, our spiritual moderator, Fr. Juvelan Paul Samia, SDB, first introduced us to the Hallow app. He urged us to download the app and participate in Hallow’s online community prayer program, “Pray40 Challenge for Lent.” This app linked more than a million people in prayer. The app is truly amazing; its primary objective was to invite as many people as possible to live as faithful Catholics, even in the digital era. One of the options of the app allows you to form a group and share content, intentions, reflections, and more.

But wait, there’s more! We even encountered an online tambayan through VocTok, a Salesian Youth organization that creates programs made by the youth for the youth. They were able to connect, meditate, and pray with a lot of young people. They also posted podcasts, held online rosary rallies, and hosted online vocation discernment sessions to help us feel included even when we were just attached to our screens. We have personally experienced the blessings that VocTok provided.

With all these experiences as Catholic youth in the digital era, we suggest these three ways to balance faith and technology for our fellow young; (1) Prioritize Relationship with God, (2) Strengthen network with other Catholic youth, and (3) Be an inspirationshare your story.

1. Prioritize Relationship with God.

Faithfulness in the digital era means prioritizing God’s message and embodied relationships over these digital tools. From our perspective, the means to connect with God in prayer is evolving alongside technological advancements. So why not make use of these tools to enrich our spiritual journey? As youth, traditional methods of prayer may not always resonate with the dynamic lives we lead. That’s why we’re happy that the means to pray can be held in the palm of our hands, right where we are, with the power of technology. There are numerous apps for meditation, prayer, scripture reading, and religious education. Choose ones that are consistent with your ideals and work them into your everyday routine.

2. Strengthen network with other Catholic youth.

We believe that we should adapt technology and mindfully delve into it to increase our prayer life and to support one another in becoming more connected to God and in discerning our vocation. This becomes easier when we also strengthen our network with other Catholic youth who have the same goals. By working together, we can also work towards fighting the dangers of social media, its deceptive algorithm, and the online violence that has been increasing over time. Connect with a Catholic online community and make friends with like-minded youth. Maybe your school or parish already has one– go ahead and build your online faith group!

3. Be an inspiration - share your story.

Being asked to write this article is a wonderful experience and blessing for us. As current KOA Youth Provincials for the Philippine North Province, our journey is still being written. And with faith and technology on our side, we can move forward even more confidently. Our goals remain the same: we desire to bring the youth closer to God and experience St. John Bosco’s love through the current Salesian Ministry. “We are Salesian Youth Leaders, of course, what we do is hard, happy, and holy.” We know it is only with God that we can achieve our goals. That’s why we have nothing to fear. So, we encourage you to take the leap and share your story, too!

As youth of today, we have an exceptional opportunity to communicate about our faith, build relationships with fellow believers, and strengthen our relationship with God in the digital era. Through the adoption of digital prayer tools and a thoughtful balance between the spiritual and the virtual, we can confidently and gracefully traverse this ever-changing landscape. •

“DO YOUNG PEOPLE STILL PRAY?”

Ludvik

Vista

Prayer is the most notable and fundamental characteristic of Christianity. It is the action through which Christians immerse themselves in the spiritual reality and acknowledge that they themselves stand in the presence of Almighty God. Yet, instead of approaching with fear and trembling, the faithful enter into this intimate interaction with the Divine in a humble and loving manner, holding no restraint, hesitation, or bias as they abide in the love of the Holy Trinity. They present and express their adoration, petitions, penitence, and supplications before the Lord God, while God attentively listens, much like a loving father listens to his beloved son. Through prayer, Christians thus forge a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God,” as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, building trust and closeness with the Divine Godhead.

However, with secularism and religious skepticism growing globally, particularly in the West, it appears that many are reluctant to engage in prayer or seek Christianity at all. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, only forty-eight percent of individuals under the age of forty in Canada identify as religious, while forty percent of young people in the United States rarely engage in prayer or do not pray at all. These statistics are unprecedented, especially considering that previous generations, before the 21st century, held stronger religious affiliations, particularly toward Catholicism, and were much more prayerful than their contemporary counterparts. It thus raises the question: do the young people of our time still pray?

Based on anecdotal evidence within the city of Calgary, Canada, one might rarely find a large community of young people enthusiastic in their pursuit of worshiping and praying to God. In most diocesan parishes within the city, regular church attendees tend to be of middle or older age, with young men and women rarely found among the congregation. More often, the youth of Calgary

are likely to be found at concert shows, nightclubs, and downtown districts; largely detached from religious activities.

When asked why they prefer other activities over religious engagement, the most common response is that they find the act of prayer—whether personal or communal—as something unimportant in their daily lives. They perceive prayer not as a means to seek intimacy with a higher power, but as a way for that higher power to manifest and fulfill their desires. They attend to the generosity of God as something akin to a magical genie than a loving parent who prioritizes the needs of a child over their wants. Conversely, when they do pray, it is often looked into as a last resort, a final attempt to rid themselves of an unavoidable and imminent personal crisis.

Yet even with such claims, they nevertheless recall instances from when they were still under the age of reason, when their families encouraged them to pray and recite novenas and Rosaries. But upon maturing, they began to view prayer more as a chore or a traditional practice rather than an opportunity for an encounter with the Divine. Consequently, they drift away from setting aside time for prayer, opting instead for recreational activities.

This shift in behavior toward prayer is further influenced by contemporary societal norms in Calgary and across Canada, heavily shaped by secularist and relativist culture, which strongly discourages religiosity and the perceived need for prayer. Young people in this contemporary society, as one commented, adhere to these modernist ideologies, further detaching themselves from a prayerful and spiritual life. Moreover, although not often publicly expressed, many youths today harbor anti-theistic sentiments and share in their disbelief in a loving God.

Catholic Christian communities and initiatives in these regions hence face a significant challenge in thriving under such conditions. Because of that predominant culture, it ultimately led to the absence of spiritual role models to guide the youth in their formation. Without a strong Christian community to illuminate the fundamental principles of the faith to the younger generation and with a lack of religious role models within their local communities, many young people remain deprived of true spiritual formation—and remain unaware of the saving truth of the Gospel.

However, despite the significant scarcity of Christian initiatives and role models, there remains a notable number of young people who maintain a strong prayer life. They may not always be visible in the streets or in major downtown districts, but they do, in the quiet of their rooms, devote special time to offer adoration, petition, penitence, and supplication toward God. Often, these individuals share a preference for congregating in parishes where the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated every Sunday, one of which being St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish in the southwest quadrant of Calgary. They cite various reasons for attending such a parish, but the most common response is that it has opened up a spiritual gateway, which ultimately led them to seek a higher form of spirituality and prayer. It was through the experience of being part of something greater, something otherworldly, that their intellectual curiosity and attraction to awe and beauty triggered a longing for something beyond themselves.

Furthermore, when asked why they continue to pray in a society that often does not, they assert that it is because they have found meaning in the quietness of prayer. Unlike those who adhere to today's secular culture, prayer for them is an escape from the harsh realities and circumstances of the world, and a latching onto the compassionate counsel and mercy of the Divine. The young men and women who pray often regard it as a safe haven for all their needs and desires, a place where one can lay down the heavy and tiresome yoke of daily life, and a space to become true to themselves in the presence of Almighty God.

Moreover, they find it necessary to pray, not because they were coaxed by their family or forced to do so—though many young people who say that they pray were raised in families that strictly follow religious practices—but because they have internalized and understood to whom they are praying: the Man who nailed His hands and feet to the cross; the Man who shed blood, sweat, and tears on that dirty wood; the God-Man who brought everything into existence, visible and invisible, who willed creation into being and sought them out of pure and relentless love.

By knowing to whom they are praying, it was thus out of their own volition that they accept Him completely as their personal and everlasting Lord and Savior. It is through this acceptance that the prayerful youth immerse themselves fully into the bountiful mystery and grace of a loving God who cares for them. They find it a necessity to pray, for they now bear the great responsibility of responding to the love that God has freely given them. For them, such a gift, especially the gift of prayer, is not something to overlook; it is, without a doubt, the most important affair they could ever undertake in their lives.

Altogether, a significant number of young people, particularly in the West, are skeptical of the concept of a loving God, largely due to the portrayal by institutions deemed archaic in a society

that increasingly leans towards postmodernism, secularism, and anti-theistic philosophies. Such a societal backdrop, heavily influenced by these ideologies, effectively diminishes the presence of a culture supportive of prayerfulness and deep spirituality. This absence makes young individuals less inclined to pray, as they see no need for it; they often misconstrue prayer not as an elevation of the heart and soul to the Divine but rather as a means to summon a genie to satisfy material desires and alleviate current woes. Consequently, it is often only as a last resort, amidst growing despair, that these individuals turn to prayer.

Conversely, a small yet significant minority of young people find their way to prayer through various means: intellectual curiosity about God, witnessing the beauty and wonder of the Christian faith, personal testimonies, challenging life circumstances, or a religious upbringing. These experiences lead them to recognize prayer as an essential aspect of life. They come to understand that prayer was the key to realizing the profound truth of God’s gift of salvation—a gift too precious to be ignored and one that must be received with the utmost sincerity. Such individuals have come to embrace the truth that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, thereby accepting the grace-filled gift of prayer. They see prayer not as a tool for granting tang but as an expression of recognition and love, as described by St. Thérèse of Lisieux. It is a recognition of their absolute need for God, fully acknowledging that God reaches out to them as His beloved, thirsting for them as they thirst for Him.•

The author is a 19-year-old alumnus of Notre Dame High School’s Class of 2023 in Calgary, Alberta, and has significantly impacted his community through various leadership and volunteer roles. As a 3-time youth leader for the Youth ALPHA Series and a student guest speaker at the GrACE Conference and Ascension of Our Lord’s Grade 9 students at Bowness Park, Ludvik has demonstrated his commitment to inspiring and educating others. He currently volunteers at Ascension Catholic Parish, where he trains young altar servers, showcasing his dedication to service and faith.

ON PRAYERS

Rosalinda P. Pabalan

Prayers and the Salesian way of life have become my lifeline. Prayers have brought peace and contentment amidst the hurdles I have experienced in my life.

For many years, God has been good to me, pampering me with travels around the world to more than 20 countries. He first gave me the Little Flower of Jesus as a companion as a child; when I got older, I visited her house at Lisieux in France. My Good Shepherd also sent me Mama Mary by letting me know her presence. I smell a lingering scent of roses every time she is near.

When I was taking up Christology at the Maryhill School of Theology, I had a vivid encounter with Jesus when I accompanied my friend to the jeepney. As she boarded the vehicle, I turned around and saw a man lying down in the middle of the street. I started calling people to help the sprawled man but when they looked at where my fingers were pointing, they simply walked away. I was puzzled.

Since the man needed help, I told the man to put his arm on my shoulder and started to bring him to the park track. As we walked, he smelled like he had been basking under the sun. When he was seated, his blueish eyes struck me and I noticed his forehead had marks of a crown of thorns. His skin was that of a foreigner and his body frail.

I presumed he was hungry so I handed him a 50 pesos bill and told him to eat at one of the karinderyas, or to go to the clinic to get his forehead treated. I told him that I could not accom-

Rosalinda P Pabalan, the author, is the coordinator of the Damas Salesianas Solidarias, a group of the Asocacion Damas Salesianas. She is also a co-founder of the ADS in the Philippines.

pany him because I had a class and asked the guard at the building to accompany the man. As I left, I saw the quizzical look of the guard.

During my class, my professor was talking about the story of the Good Samaritan. “Ako yun. Ako yun,” I whispered to myself, noting the coincidence. When my husband fetched me, he gave me a box of towels that were gifted to him. Each color resembled the man I had met earlier today; the red towel was of the 50 peso bill I gave, the white towel resembled the pristine polo shirt, the blue was of his eyes, and the box was the slim and weightless body of the foreigner.

When I told my friend what happened to me after she boarded the jeepney, she said that I might have been the only one who saw the stranger. Since then, I have been obsessed with the Holy face, seeing it in both Quiapo and Italy. When the Lord saw that I could embrace poverty, he took away our liquid assets. I depend on my SSS and the generosity of my children. I feel happy, at peace, and content, for my Good Shepherd took charge of my well-being, spiritual, and material needs. To this day, Mama Mary and St Joseph take good care of me.

Praise, Glory, and Thanksgiving to you Holy Trinity! •

GRATITUDE & PRESENCE

Mrs. Cory Villafania

When Simeon was growing up, his mother (Michelle, my daughter) taught him a simple morning prayer. I watched him do it for some time until I was inspired to add an important line as Simeon prayed, “Good morning, Jesus. Good morning, Mama Mary. Love you, Jesus. Love you, Mama Mary.” I said, “Simeon, please add ‘Salamat po at buhay pa ako.’”

What was that gesture all about? Many of us grew up asking the Lord for things or favors. Nothing wrong with that, but what if we started our mornings and ended our days with “THANK YOU, Lord!”? A daily prayer of thanksgiving awakens us to the giftedness of LIFE and the PRESENCE of the Life-Giver. I could have died in my sleep, but I woke up today! I could have gone home to an empty, lonely place, but noise welcomed me…my family was there! Thank you, Lord!

Thanksgiving is a prayer addressed to a God who is ALWAYS PRESENT: in my joy and sadness, in my doubt and enlightenment, in my disillusionment, and in my hope that refuses to die. It is no wonder that through the years since Grade School, the Eucharist has become my deepest prayer, my sanctuary, and even “my hiding place.” What I used to believe was just one of the sacraments has become the GREATEST PRESENCE in my life, Jesus Christ. At Mass, I can just be myself because I am at home with the God who, seeing all my sins, forgives me again and again and invites me to new life. I am His perpetual student whom He teaches to LISTEN to His Word with real reverence and attentiveness. Even if I have heard it a hundred times, I continue to be moved when I hear Him say, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest…” (Mt. 11:28).

LaraJuan

| John Villafania

At the Offertory, the Lord invites me to offer not just the best in me but also the weakest in me, which He promises to transform into His own strength: my quick-temperedness, my impatience, and my judgmental attitude. I am deeply grateful that He accepts them.

When the priest says the words of Consecration, “in persona Christi,” I also say in my heart, “Lord, together with yours, accept my own body and blood as I give myself in love to my family, my students, our country, and all those you have put in my care.” At this sacred moment, I experience that I am one with Him, and He is with me and with the entire community…

There is no earthly experience equal to my receiving the Lord in Holy Communion as He assures me of His all-abiding PRESENCE, especially in the mission of evangelization…“I am with you till the end of your days. I am IN you. Have faith that I hold you even when you let go, and I love you. You must know I am here. I AM EVER WITH YOU”. •

PARADISE IN EASTER SEASON

Susan Liwanag

The author is a member of the Association of Salesian Cooperator.

She hails from Tarlac City.

“Today, you will be with Me in Paradise... what a reassuring statement from the LORD for the repentant thief, Dimas!”

Today too, as we are in the Easter Season, we could heartily dwell on the words of the Lord that He did utter years ago, and continously utters to us... today, you will be with Me in Paradise, a clear and superb manifestation of His love and mercy.

Paradise is a term that fits in to the tee in Easter Season. It could refer to a place, a mindset, a state of being, of emotions.

It comprises all that is vibrant, moving, animated and alive!

It connotes eliminating worries or doubts, restoring confidence, forgiveness and a promise of something unsurpassing.

Paradise may be experienced in various ways and means, in different reasons and seasons.

A goodbye to a 22 days hospital confinement, a total release from medical procedures and protocols and be set freed from the nono rules and regulations, is to me “Paradise!”

“Alleluia!”

Now, I can breathe freedom, freedom that is all mine to define and delight in.

That was the day, the Lord had made!

After being confined... with His grace, I came out re-charged, re-conditioned, re strengthened.

LaraJuan

| John Villafania

I stood up, bounced back and reached the end of the tunnel, to see once again. .. the Light, the Rainbow, the Promised Paradise! It may not yet be a thorough Paradise at this moment.

Yes, there are still some contractions that I have to deal with, but I am certain, with my steadfast and unwavering Faith in the Lord, all will be well!

In His time, in His perfect time, complete brightness will radiate.

In Him, I trusted and in Him, I will hold fast!

I am not afraid, for I know God goes before me and will never, never abandon me.

In due time, a good harvest, He will compassionately bless me with... a complete Paradise!

Till that day Lord, I will await your gift of complete Paradise, for who am I, LORD, to question your time, your wisdom, your plan? •

Euree Homerson Pike

“PRE” FROM A PRAYER JOURNAL

Novice Wilson Alo

As I go deeper into my prayer, the passage (John 15: 1-8) reveals to me three major parts that I made into acronyms which are “PRE” and “PAR.” They are two models with the same meaning. PRE is a colloquial term for Pare or Friend. Same as PAR, it is common in the Kapampangan dialect.

I am not Kapampangan, but I was raised in an environment when I entered Don Bosco Tarlac, where 80% are Kapampangan. And so, as I entered into my prayer, I realized that the invitation of God is to be my Friend and not just a simple Friend but a Perpetual Friend why because PRE stands for Pruning, Remaining, and Expressing or in PAR, Pruning, Asking and Remaining. I ask the Lord what does this mean? God is inviting me to be his friend so that He may prune me, as I remain in His infinite Love and able to express myself whether in asking or complaining that in every complaint, I will have the opportunity to see what I was asking, and so I continued.

During the first 10 or 15 minutes of my prayer, I really felt warm because of the sun that glows on the floor and it reflected into my body. That made me feel secure and at peace. But then, after some time, a gust of wind blew to me and I was not aware because I didn’t hear it through the leaves. And so I was confused about where it came from, but the wind gave me a feeling of healing and relaxation. Immediately through my meditation, a picture came out. It is like a hard-boiled egg that was dropped in a bowl of cold and Icy water to be better and smoothly remove the shell. God is telling me that there will be pruning that will happen to remove all the shells in me so that I will be able to give life to others. Another picture came from my personal experience that athletes are doing to recover and heal the muscles from heavy training and that is a cold bath. It is plunging ourselves into a pool full of ice. And so, God is reminding me that part of pruning is also healing. Yes, it is hard and painful, yet I need to trust the Divine Healer that He will do it most lovingly and mercifully. As long as I remain in Him, the second letter, R. Remaining with him is not just staying in. It is being faithful to him all the time. Active and Conscious cooperation to his Divine Plan.

I cannot do it alone, and so he gave me the third Letter E, Expressing, and this is where prayer lies. It is a way of dialogue to God. to ask the grace I’ll be needing in the pruning and remaining with him. But it is also a way of expressing my discouragements, unworthiness, and inadequacy. And God will help me to prune myself as I remain in Him and express again. As I go deeper, I realize that being friends with God entails Pruning, Remaining, and Expressing oneself to be like Him. He assures me that he will always be there. So, PRE is not just a cycle but a way of life that will help me to assimilate the way of life of Jesus. I can also use PAR, Pruning, then ask for the grace I need for the pruning that needs to happen. So that I will be effectively and affectively remain with him. Pruning is crucial because it is a way of dying from my old self. •

LIVING IN COMMUNION: DON BOSCO’S LEGACY OF PRAYER, BEAUTY, AND COMMUNITY

Fr. Roneldo Vilbar, SDB

Don Bosco lived as he prayed; he prayed as he lived. To say that Don Bosco is a man for youth, especially the poorest, the neediest and the most excluded is only half the truth. To say that Don Bosco is in Union with God for youth is to say the complete truth.

During Don Bosco’s process of Beatification, an objection was raised: “When did Don Bosco pray?” Don Bosco threw himself into activity, and apparently, he had no more time to pray. Pope Pius XI himself broke the impasse. He threw a thought-provoking, and I should add a witty question that showed how deeply he knew and understood Don Bosco. Hinting that the question was poorly formulated, he debunked it and countered it with: “When did Don Bosco not pray?” For a Pope who had the unique grace of having an up-close-personal encounter with Don Bosco, even for just two days at the Oratory in 1883, when he was still a young priest, that remark carried tremendous weight. Don Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti [future Pope Pius XI] noted Don Bosco’s “energetic work, unyielding defiance, whenever needed, a life of enormous work whose sight made one realize how exhausting it was, also keenly noticed an admirable spirit of recollection, of tranquility, of calm which was not just a calm borne of silence, but that which accompanies a true union with God, that lets him always have a continuous gaze to what his soul sees, which his heart unceasingly contemplates: the Presence of God, Union withGod.”

In 2024, when the Salesians of Don Bosco commemorate with hearts overflowing with gratitude the 200th Anniversary of the Dream at Nine, Pope Francis also invites us to Live the Year of Prayer with intense commitment. I humbly propose an approach that is by no means new. What will be new is how we take a long, loving look at it and intentionally actualize it in preparation for the Jubilee 2025.

The Salesian Constitutions article 12 goes:

“As he works for the salvation of the young, the Salesian experiences the fatherhood of God and continually reminds himself of the divine dimension of his work: ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing.’ He cultivates union with God, aware of the need to pray without ceasing in a simple heart-toheart colloquy with the living Christ and with the Father, whom he feels

Rublev's famous icon showing the three Angels being hosted by Abraham at Mambré.

close at hand. Attentive to the presence of the Spirit and doing everything for God’s love, he becomes like Don Bosco, a contemplative in action.”

Three-pronged approach

Trinity

It was in 1996, as I was winding up my studies in Rome, when I ‘encountered’ the Blessed Trinity. I was in Subiaco in Lazio, Italy, looking for transportation to go up to the San Biagio House of Prayer, run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), just above the Sanctuary of the Holy Cave of St Benedict. I went there for a personal retreat. My travel to Subiaco was anything but smooth. After experiencing many difficulties, I saw and approached Three old men sitting on a bench in a park, overlooking a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and a creek below, asking for help to go up the House of Prayer. The oldest among them stood up immediately, no questions asked. He brought me up with his car. I was moved to tears as we parted ways. The old man himself was teary-eyed. We gave each other a warm and tight hug. I was able to make it to the House of Prayer. When I got to the chapel to pray vespers with the sisters, upon opening the door, what met my eyes was the icon of the Blessed Trinity by Andrei Rublev. A wave of deep joy swept over me, and spontaneously: “I just met you this afternoon!!!” During breakfast, after the Holy Mass the following day, the sister superior asked the sisters to share their reflections about the readings in the Mass. The sister superior also asked me to share even if I had already given a homily. I shared my experience of meeting three old men who helped me with my difficulty. The sister then told me that Subiaco has a very strong devotion to the Blessed Trinity and that my experience is just one of many where pilgrims needing directions received assistance from three persons, young or old. I was deeply moved by this. I knew in my heart that the Blessed Trinity orchestrated all these. Since then, the Blessed Trinity has taken center stage in my life as a Salesian Priest. After all these years, I still cannot wrap my mind around the mystery of the Blessed Trinity; I just humbly allow myself to be drawn and caught up, every day, more and more into the Mystery—receptively, patiently, lovingly, reverently, and with naked abandon.

The Salesian Life is meant to be, and best lived intentionally and devotedly in the embrace of the Blessed Trinity. In the Salesian Constitutions, the word Trinity occurs only once, as stated in article 49. Upon close examination, however, one will be astonished that the reality of the Blessed Trinity is ‘all over’ the Salesian Constitutions. The Constitutions clearly present a Trinitarian vision. The Triune God pervades the whole Salesian Life. Let this year be an opportunity to find creative ways to put the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity as the central mystery of Christian (CCC234) Salesian and Missionary life. I heartily recommend that all confreres to revisit the Salesian Constitutions, to see how the Blessed Trinity speaks to us Salesians in every article.

Beauty [Via Pulchritudinis]

While intellectual conclusions can change convictions, something more is needed to bring about a personal relationship with the Lord. Beauty can be that way. Beauty can evangelize because it has the potential to convince, not by rational argument but through an intuitive or spiritual engagement. Beauty invites contemplation and prayer as it leads us back to its source. God has created a world that sacramentally reflects and expresses His love, His beauty, His truth, and His goodness.

Even as a boy, whom our Lady brought to Don Bosco’s house in a most incredible way, I quickly saw and felt the beauty of the Prayer moments and I was instinctively caught up by the transforming experience of Prayer and the Sacraments. Thanks to the Salesians at that time who made the prayers and the liturgies beautiful.

Salesian prayer demands a youthful style that is well done, beautiful, happy, and shared. It should involve a person’s whole being. Even the body is called to pray, with signs of the cross well made, with beautiful genuflections, with readings that are proclaimed clearly, calmly, and devoutly. Joyful prayer has an Easter quality. It includes beautiful songs and music that make us understand how good it is to be sons and daughters of God and how God made us for his eternal joy! Don Bosco made ample use of beauty – nature hikes, theater, music - to lead the last, the least, the lost young people to God. How good he was at it.

Young people today need the Lord. They might not just be aware that God is stirring within. I am deeply convinced that the ‘via pulchritudinis’ will gently help them to open and welcome the Divine.

Community

A formidable strength in Salesian Life is praying in the community. Don Bosco always wisely wanted it that way. While Salesian prayer is intensely personal for each one to express his own personal and heartfelt way of being a son of God, it also is intensely communitarian. When every Salesian is a Pray-er, the community becomes a praying community. The Praying community, in turn, nourishes the prayer life of the Salesian. The community is attentive to the Word, the community is made one by the Eucharist, the community enters into the Mystery of Christ in Time through the Liturgy of the Hours, the community is in continual Conversion, the community is one even in keeping the memory of our dead confreres. Every confrere, every formand deserves the presence of each one in the community called to pray together. This is essential in the Salesian Vocation. The lack of prayer, personal and communitarian spells defeat and loss for the Salesian.

St John Paul II, said that the praying community reflects the Trinity: “Fraternal life, whereby consecrated persons strive to live in Christ with ‘one heart and soul’ (Acts 4:32, is put forward

Young people today need the Lord. They might not just be aware that God is stirring within. I am deeply convinced that the ‘via pulchritudinis’ will gently help them to open and welcome the Divine.

as an eloquent witness to the Trinity. It proclaims the Father, who desires to make all of humanity one family. It proclaims the Incarnate Son, who gathers the redeemed into unity, pointing the way by his example, his prayer, his words, and above all, his death, which is the source of reconciliation for a divided and scattered humanity. It proclaims the Holy Spirit as the principle of unity in the Church, wherein he ceaselessly raises up spiritual families and fraternal communities.

We Salesians grow as contemplatives in action, therefore, within the community, which is an essential facet of our lives. The Constitutions tell us: To live and work together is, for us Salesians, a fundamental requirement and a sure way of fulfilling our vocation. This is why we come together in communities, where our love for each other leads us to share all we have in a family spirit and so create communion between person and person. The community is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity: there, we find a response to the deep aspirations of the heart, and we become for the young signs of love and unity.

When the community is made one in the loving embrace of the Blessed Trinity, the beauty of its fraternal communion becomes an irresistible force that spontaneously draws the young to it. The community becomes a school of prayer that awakens the deepest desire within the human heart —the desire for God—which only God can fill. The crown of all Salesian educational and pastoral activity will not be far—Vocations. •

BEAUTY AND PRAYER AS A SEARCH FOR GOD

Reg Silva

My hiking group reached the summit of Mount Pulag and we settled down to wait for the sunrise. Laying on the grass, gazing at the sky covered with an endless sea of stars, I was filled with awe and wonder at the silent beauty around me. I felt a deep, quiet sense of joy at seeing my first ever shooting star. Moved to gratitude, I spontaneously said a silent thanks towards God despite not really knowing who that God is.

Beauty, like stars dotting the sky, has a way of captivating and moving your heart.

How many times have we paused before a sculpture, got lost in the lyrics of a song, found direction in well-crafted words that captured truth, and were stirred by a sunset that evoked tears and memories? Such is the power of beauty through Creation and art.

Certain places and some works of art have this quality of awe and reverence about them: a piece of sacred music, a cathedral, a mountaintop. They move us to whisper in admiration, to pause and reflect. They not only captivate our senses but elevate us towards something beyond, drawing us into the presence of something sacred.

St. John Paul II said in his 1999 Letter to Artists, “Beauty delights and attracts. And because it attracts, this indicates that there is something else beyond it, which is hidden.”

But beauty can also point to a wound.

Marveling at the blanket of stars atop Mount Pulag, I was moved to gratitude but, at the same time, felt so small, so lost, so sad. A yearning was forming deep within me, and I didn’t know what it was, but I was made aware of an ache, of something missing.

Beauty can point to a desire, deep ache, and hunger towards something more. It can lead us to a search and can dispose our

But beauty can also point to a wound.

Reg Sulva Art | regsilva.com

Beauty is a path to prayer, but so is prayer, a path to Beauty to God.

hearts and minds to meet Christ, Who is Beauty Himself.

Pope Benedict XVI calls beauty a pathway to prayer. “Some artistic expressions are real highways to God, the supreme Beauty,” he says. Works of art, whether natural or created beauty, can lead us to ponder on the mystery contained within. Good art can take this pondering and, quite spontaneously, lead us into prayer.

Beauty is a path to prayer, but so is prayer, a path to Beauty to God.

Beauty can be an invitation to prayer when, like on that mountaintop, it wounds and shines a light on our dark places. Our wounds can be the door through which God enters to soothe an empty ache and deeper yearning for God Himself. Something beautiful happens when, in prayer, we continuously draw near to God, and He draws near to us (James 4:8), allowing Him to take our wounds and brokenness and transform them into beauty.

Beauty can lead one to prayer, and the beauty of prayer is it allows God to change our hearts into a dwelling place for Him so others can see Christ and know He has made our life into a masterpiece; a work of art. And the next time we marvel at the silent beauty of the sky and the stars, we recognize Him and utter a prayer of gratitude to God, Beauty Himself. •

PERSONAL LESSONS ON PRAYER

Ms. Wilma Militante

For me, home is the cradle of prayer. When I was born, it was cultivated and nourished in my process of growing up first by my parents and by all the chosen people God sent into my life to make me grow up knowing, loving, and serving Him all my life in the way He has chosen me to live.

Prayer to me has always been love. My mother played a significant role in nurturing my faith from a young age. Before she died at the age of 35, she told me, “Daughter, do not forget that there is God. Even if you do not see Him, He is the Father of Jesus and the Father of us all. Remember that He loved you with a love greater than your father’s love and my love for you. Do not forget that because, in less than a month’s time, I will be gone. You will be a little mother to your brother and baby sister, so learn from the Blessed Mother Mary how to be a little mother, as well as from your two grandmothers.

I wondered where she would go but I did not ask because in our family, children were taught not to question but to listen.”

The first thing I learned while praying with my mother was that there is a loving God and that I should learn from the Blessed Mother Mary how to be a little mother.

My mother died on April 24, 1951, a few weeks after our conversation. She was 35 years old. During her funeral, Tatay refused to remove his wedding ring even if my grandparents and his siblings were forcing him to. He was carrying my baby sister, not yet one year old, with tears in his eyes. I heard him say in a loud voice, “I will not remove my wedding ring. I do not believe in till death do us part. I promise you, Josefina, I will remain faithful to you till the day I die. the day I die. I will not marry again, and I will raise our three children alone.” Then he prayed, “Dear God, why did You get my wife so soon? It is very painful, but I bow to Your will. I feel so helpless, but I believe that You will guide and help me raise my children.”

The second thing I learned about prayer is faithfulness and obedience to God’s will and my Father’s trust in God

Tatay was true to his words; He passed away on February 4, 1991, at the age of 70. Growing up, I saw him every evening seated in front of our family altar, quietly staring at the statues of the Holy Family, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and our Lady of Fatima and of Lourdes.

“ Tatay, what are you doing? Are you sick? You look strange and weird staring at the statues.” He whispered to me and said, “Do not disturb me. Keep quiet. I am praying.”

“ Why are you not talking to God? Nanay and I always prayed, talking and talking.” He answered, “I am doing quiet prayer; I want to be alone with God until you come in. Go out and play outside.” He gently spanked me in the butt and shooed me away. He was often like that after my

The third thing I learned about prayer is we can pray quietly and not always talk.

We heard Mass every Sunday in Quiapo Church. Tatay was a devotee of the Black Nazarene. After Mass, we used to have family bonding. We went to a restaurant called Pancit Moderna or to Savory Restaurant near Escolta to eat, then we watched a movie in Lyrics Theater.

After watching movies, he would bring us to Manila Bay to remember my mother, who is always present with us not physically but spiritually, and, more importantly, for us not to forget the memory of my mother, who loved us very much. He told us also not to forget to thank God for the beauty of nature. He said that all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small in the world were gifts of God to us, even the not so beautiful things in creation.

The fourth thing I learned about prayer is that we should worship God every Sunday at Mass. Prayer is also thanksgiving for all the things he has made.

Fast-forward, years later, when I became a teacher, in hindsight I recalled this experience of my childhood. Without Tatay knowing it, he prepared me for the Ignatian “seeing God in all the things,” and that is, the greater appreciation and awe of the greatness, magnificence, and power of God not only in the creation of nature and the mysterious cosmos but more so in us human beings.

When I was in the elementary grades, Tatay enrolled me in the Catechism class at Camp Diliman Chapel. At that time we resided in Camp Diliman around 2 kilometers away from the University of the Philippines where my three aunts studied education.

Soldiers were provided with houses there so in case of emergency they could easily be called upon and were ready to fight. The red alert was frequent in the whole decade of the 1950s because there was the HUKBALAHAP (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon), a communist movement in those days. Tatay was a soldier and a veteran of the United States Army in the Far East (USAFE). He kept us informed of the danger in those times

We are united or connected with God when we pray, and the Eucharist is the most beautiful prayer of all because Jesus Christ is the one offering our worship and prayers.

and told us to pray always for all soldiers and for our protection because if any of us was hurt or died he would die as well. He required us to read his subscriptions especially the Manila Times the most popular and number one newspaper then so that we could know what was happening in our country. He told me to pray for all reporters and journalists and the newspaper and magazine business. He said when we pray we bring to God the needs of the people in the news and their sufferings as well and to pray for their salvation. And so I learned there is a prayer of petitions and intercession.

This is the fifth lesson I learned about prayer – not to pray only for ourselves but for all people. One time, Tatay told me he would go to see Fr. Mott, our Camp chaplain, for the sacrament of confession. He told me to lock the door from the inside and to open it only when my aunts arrived. He also asked me to go to the altar and pray so that he may make a good confession. He kissed me, and off he went.

The sixth lesson I learned about prayer is prayer is confession. Eventually, Fr. Mott became my father’s best friend. He was the very first priest who became our family friend. He visited us at home and had lunch with us. He told many stories about his country, Belgium, and his family. Oh, how I loved him second to my father. He was like a grandfather to me, so chubby and like Santa Claus with a long white beard. He was my first confessor, but before I confess

my sins to him I would go first to my father and read my list of sins because I might have forgotten something I did that will not make Jesus happy.

Fr. Mott gave me different kinds of stampitas, rosaries, and prayer books. I looked forward to his classes from Grade 2 to Grade 6.I did not sleep the whole night of December 1952 because of excitement. I was so excited because the thought of receiving the Body of Christ excited me most. “How does it taste like? I was wondering.”

We were also told that our tongues must be dry the morning of December 8, so I only drank a cup of Ovaltine and did not eat because we had to fast one hour before Communion. I kept on drying my tongue with my handkerchief.

My Tatay bought me a beautiful white dress with lace, a white veil, a new pair of shoes, and white socks. I learned many prayers from Fr. Mott because he gave me prayer books.

The seventh thing I learned about prayer was, as Fr. Mott said, prayer is our union with God. We are united or connected with God when we pray, and the Eucharist is the most beautiful prayer of all because Jesus Christ is the one offering our worship and prayers. •

When I conceptualized this St. John Bosco Today issue on Prayer, one of the first people I thought to solicit an article from was Tita Wilma Militante. She may be a fragile woman, but I knew her to be big on prayer, a first-hand knowledge since she was my spiritual guide when I was a prenovice two decades ago.

She has come up with seven important lessons that have shaped her spiritual journey.

These lessons are intertwined with personal anecdotes and experiences that have influenced her understanding of prayer.

— The Editor

THE PAPAL BASILICA OF ST. MARY MAJOR IN ROME GRANTS ITS SPIRITUAL BOND OF AFFINITY TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PARISH IN PARANAQUE CITY

Mr. Andrew Chanco

Cantate Domino!

The National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish is glad to announce that the request to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome for the Spiritual Bond of Affinity was granted. Throughout the world, there are more than 300 Marian shrines that have a special bond of spiritual communion that shares in the Basilica’s spirituality, devotion to the Mother of God, prayers of intercession, and particularly the precious grace of Indulgences granted by the Apostolic Penitentiary.

In the Philippines, 15 Churches and Shrines are affiliated with the Papal Basilica; the latest is the National Shrine and Parish of Mary Help of Christians. In the list compiled by Delos Reyes, they are as follows:

1. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag (June 21, 2011)

2. Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay (December 3, 2011)

3. Minor Basilica and Shrine Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani (September 25, 2012)

4. Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba of Pakil (June 18, 2014)

5. Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Quezon City (February 26, 2017)

6. Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad de Bantay (November 10, 2017)

7. Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Extremadura of Loboc (March 31, 2021)

8. Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Mercy of Novaliches (May 24, 2021)

9. Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Asuncion de Dauis (September 15. 2021)

10. Our Lady of Light Parish of Loon (September 16, 2021)

11. Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Merced of Tarlac (September 29. 2021)

12. Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Muntinlupa (June 7, 2022)

13. Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Light, Cainta (October 4, 2022)

14. Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Guindulman, Bohol (November 1, 2022)

15. National Shrine and Parish of Mary Help of Christians, Parañaque City (February 2, 2024)

The Papal Basilica, located on the top of the Esquiline Hill, was erected in the year 352 during the reign of Pope Liberius. According to tradition, a wealthy married couple tried to decide what to do with their fortune after their death as they did not have heirs. That is why they asked the Blessed Virgin to give them a sign. One night, the Blessed Virgin appeared to them in their dreams and asked that a church be built where snow would fall that night. Pope Liberius also had the same dream that night. This is the reason why the basilica is also called Basilica Liberiana. The next day was August 5. On a hot day, snow fell, and the form and shape of the basilica were traced. Thus, the Papal Basilica was built in the same spot.

Honoring the divine motherhood of Mary, Pope Sixtus III reconstructed the basilica a year after the Council of Ephesus proclaimed the Dogma of the Theotokos in 431 A.D. From the seventh century on it became known as St. Mary Major because it was then, until this day, the most important church in Rome dedicated to Mary. It was the first Marian Sanctuary in the world and the Second Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome after the Lateran Basilica.

Among the greatest treasures of the Papal Basilica is a painting of the Madonna and Child known as the Salus Populi Romani, attributed to St. Luke and was canonically crowned in 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI, and the manger from the stable at Bethlehem; that is why the Papal Basilica is also called as the Bethlehem of the West.

With this gift, the Papal Basilica shares the spiritual gift of Plenary Indulgence with the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish. The spiritual benefits gained by visiting and praying at the Papal Basilica can already be received in our National Shrine and Parish.

The Church comes to our aid in bestowing God’s grace in atonement for our sins. One of the ways through which these graces are dispensed is through indulgence. Indulgence is the action of the Church by which she opens the treasury of graces for us and bestows the grace of Christ upon us as a means of making atonement for our sins. In this way, the Church wipes away the temporal punishment we deserve for sinning. These indulgences are granted to Catholics whenever they say a specific prayer or do some other pious exercise specified by the Church to obtain an indulgence.

How to be granted Plenary Indulgence:

1. On the Feast Day of the Title Holder of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (5 August)

2. On the Feast day of the Title Holder of the “affiliated” church

3. On all solemnities of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God.

4. Once a year, on a day chosen by each member of the faithful

5. Every time the faithful gather as a group for devotion in the affiliated church or the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

The following conditions are required:

1. Sacramental Confession

2. Eucharistic Communion

3. Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father

4. Exclusion from attachment to any kind of sin

5. Assistance in sacred services and the recital of at least the Pater Noster and the Creed.

In the last quarter of 2023, the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish prepared to submit the Spiritual Bond of Affinity requirements to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

This included a letter of request from Fr. Crisostomo Eugenio D. Magbitang, SDB, Parish Priest, on behalf of the National Shrine and Parish, together with the letter of Fr. Gerardo N. Martin, SDB, FIN Provincial.

This was endorsed by His Excellency Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque. Attached to the documents were the history, devotion, miracles, pastoral and liturgical work, and photos of the

National Shrine and Parish. After the documents were prepared and the necessary endorsements were secured it was delivered to the Apostolic Nunciature on November 21, 2023.

A text message was received by Fr. Cris Magbitang from Bishop Mercado on March 1, 2024, informing him that the documents for affiliation were already available.

Last March 8, 2024, we were able to have the document into our hands, which includes the decree and the rescript coming from the Apostolic Penitentiary extending the indulgences that can be obtained in the Basilica Liberiana to the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish in Paranaque City. •

FROM CURIOSITY TO ADVENTURE: MY JOURNEY TO ZEPHERIN CAMP AND BEYOND

Jian Wagan

I never imagined that a simple curiosity about a way of life would nudge me toward a journey I hadn't even thought to embark on. It all started with a whisper in my heart; during the height of COVID-19, while in lockdown, my family was open to praying more and learning more about our faith. At those times, I became very fascinated by the church's beauty, specifically about the catechisms of the Catholic Church and Marian apparitions. Being exposed to more knowledge and understanding of the church, I felt discerning about entering religious life. I wanted to evangelize all that I learned to others, experience all the goodness of the Lord's works, and help share them with others. It felt like being called to an adventure, which was Zepherin Camp. This experience promised to be more than a stop along my spiritual journey but a lifelong milestone!

My first introduction to the Salesian community was from my parents, Don Bosco Canlubang and Mary Help of Christians College alumni. However, we were only active in these schools after the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, Don Bosco still found us and led me to my three-day search in the Aspirantate Formation House last December 2023. This experience made me grow more interested in religious life. Then after, the aspirants invited me to be the bassist in their accademia production called Libre Lang Mangarap, which honors St. John Bosco's Dream at Nine. My godfather, Fr. Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB approached me and asked if I was interested in joining the first batch of campers at this year's Zepherin VoCamp. I registered for the camp as it was another way to discern my future vocation.

On the first day of the camp, different campers around the Philippine North Province met up at St. John Bosco Parish Tondo for the registration and parish ministry orientation. From the first stop at SJB Tondo, I already sensed excitement as I pondered the memories and experiences I would make with these campers from different Don Bosco settings. Afterward, we visited various Don

Bosco ministries around Metro Manila, from the Press & Printing Ministry, TVET and Migrants Ministry, and Tuloy sa DB. We had Mass at the SJB Relic Chapel in Makati before having lunch, where I was the first reading reader. Being exposed to the different ministries of Don Bosco showcases that if you pursue becoming a Salesian, you will not be left out because God will put you wherever he needs you to be. These ministries have been a journey of discovery and wonder for the people involved. Each ministry gave people, especially the youth, a chance to explore their deepest longings and aspirations in life. I was amazed at the number of adopted youths by Tuloy sa DB and that they gave those children opportunities to reach their dreams, which would have been far from possible if it hadn't been for that ministry. Our last stop for the day was back at the Aspirantate Formation House at Canlubang, where the campers watched a showing of Libre Lang Mangarap while I played the bass with the other musicians for the show. Then, we prayed the rosary and Vespers and had dinner with the aspirants. Being with the aspirants before the camp, I felt the same way when I had my search-in in the seminary; the serenity and the peace, while we prayed, made my heart joyful, the atmosphere of the seminary and being with the aspirants made me feel right at home.

We started the second day with Lauds, Holy Mass at the parish, and then breakfast with the aspirants. After that, we got ready to leave for Don Bosco Batulao in Batangas, the last ministry we would visit before heading to the campsite at Calatagan. Although it was my first time visiting Don Bosco Batulao, I was impressed by its beauty. The architecture and design of each building, especially the main lobby and the Chapel, were very fancy. The sunlight reflecting on the dark wooden floors and lighting the stained glass windows made the place feel holy and serene. During Fr. Edwin Soliva, SDB's talk at the Chapel, he talked about how everyone is constantly looking down on their phones and getting sucked into their gadgets. It made me realize that I'm also guilty of the same thing. We're all getting distracted and stuck to our phones and gadgets. It made me understand that the Chapel on the Hill and Retreat House exists to help us step back from the fast-paced world and contemplate our spirituality so that we may bring balance to our daily lives again.

When we arrived at Caisip Beach House in Calatagan, I settled my things with my assigned group mates. After lunch, we had a quick orientation about the merit and demerit system of the camp, where each group will be given and deducted points for every deed that the group has done, as well as the group members who participate in the trivia after each session. Following that, we had our first session headed by Br. Nathan Petate about the life of Don Bosco and his Salesian mission. Reflecting on Don Bosco's life and

mission, I thought about how to make a difference. It doesn't have to be grand or world-changing—even small acts of kindness and compassion can have a ripple effect on those around us. Don Bosco's legacy showed us that we can all do our part to create a better world, one person at a time. We discussed the life of Blessed Zepherin Namuncura, the challenges he faced as a young indigenous man in Argentina, and the fact that the camp is named after him. For the next activity, we had games! They were engaging and helped me know more about my group mates. It was an excellent opportunity to break the ice and create a sense of camaraderie among us.

We couldn't swim since it was low tide and there was no water at the shore. We had our dinner, then prayed the Rosary for Vocation at the seaside, where it was windy and refreshing. Fr. Dante Valero, SDB had his Goodnight Talk with us, sharing the past and current youth organizations he created advocating Salesian vocation. He also talked about his assignments in different Don Bosco settings over the years and how he had always been fond of sharing the Salesian vocation wherever he went. It was truly inspiring to hear Fr. Dante discuss his passion for advocating the Salesian vocation. As he shared his experiences and stories about his assignments over the years, I couldn't help but feel motivated to make a difference in my way. He also reminded us that vocation is not just about becoming a priest or a religious brother or sister but about living a life

of service and selflessness, no matter what path we choose. For the last task of the night, we had a guided journal writing. I hadn't had the chance to write my reflections for the day without doing it for grades, so it was nice that I wrote about my thoughts that night. I then proceeded to share my reflections with my group mates; it was interesting to hear the thoughts of my other group mates because it helped me gauge my insights and provided me with different perspectives on the day's camp activities. It was a good way to end the day.

On the third day of the camp, we woke up early again for Lauds and breakfast. Before our next session, we had games again. It was a fun way to energize and prepare ourselves for the next session about our friendship with Jesus—one of the main points Br. Dandrew Matias, SDB pointed out in the session that you not only have to know about Jesus; you have to know Him. To know Jesus means to have a personal relationship with Him, to seek Him out in prayer, to follow His example in our daily lives, and to allow His love and grace to transform us from the inside out. One should remember that there is no standard method for developing a friendship with Jesus, and each person must discover ways and practices that suit them individually. Moving forward after a quick snack break, the third session by Fr. Jay David, SDB was about the proper way and mindset to discern our vocation. A few reflections about this session are that God

works by placing a desire in us. While God may put a desire in us, it's also essential to evaluate whether we have the skills, talents, and temperament to pursue that vocation effectively. Long ago, people widely assumed that those generous with God would choose priestly or religious life while those with flaws would not. However, this is far from true.

The most important thing is to seek God's will for you in any of the two paths or another, so we need to be open to God's will, even if it leads us down a path we may not have initially intended or desired. We then celebrated Mass after the third session and had lunch. For the rest of the afternoon, all the groups prepared their assigned performances for the bonfire program later in the evening. Our group was assigned to sing with actions for our performance; we prepared a short performance, singing songs with dialogue in between, taking inspiration from Libre Lang Mangarap. By 4 PM, we had games again near the shore. This time, it was high tide, so we could go swimming. Though the tide was just above our knees, enjoying the waters and the sun setting was sufficient. I was chilling with the other campers, and we could talk about the camp and their experience so far. As the sun set, we took group pictures and returned to shore to take showers, have dinner, and prepare for the Taizé prayer.

Taizé is a spiritual form of music defined by

its simplicity, richness, and meditative quality. Taizé music frequently uses an ostinato, a basic tune repeated repeatedly. The Taizé Community, a French ecumenical religious group founded in 1940, intends this to serve as a musical-centering prayer. My first experience joining a Taizé was when I had a showing of the accademia production last January at DB Canlubang; meditating on the repeating tunes of prayers was a unique experience for me. Repeating music leaves behind our many distractions and concentrates on the Lord. For me, it also initiates a rhythm of prayer, the songs being catchy; you could find yourself humming a refrain after praying to this music. After the Taize, it was time for the bonfire program, where we could show each group's talents. I was most excited about this part of the camp because I had always loved performing and enjoyed the moment. After the bonfire performances, another group shared our camp experiences that day. Fr. Jay had prepared some delicious street foods to enjoy, and we all sat around, eating and chatting. Some campers also sang videoke, and we all enjoyed the fun. It was a fun and lighthearted way to end the day, and we all laughed and sang together, enjoying each other's company. I felt at peace as I walked back to my tent, thinking this would be the last time I'd sleep with the campers, especially my group mates. We had shared so many experiences even in the short time given to us, and I knew that I would miss their company.

The next day, as the sun dawned upon us, we had to pack our things and gear in readiness for Lauds and Holy Mass. It was always a relaxing experience to have Mass on the beach while at camp. I was pleased and satisfied by that moment when I could celebrate Mass with a cool breeze blowing through my hair. We all had breakfast together and then prepared to put our bags back on the bus to go back to Aspirantate. We returned for lunch at Aspirantate, followed by awarding winners during Zepherin Camp! We came second after being awarded for this year's Zepherin Camp winners, with only 1000 points separating us from the winning team. Although it did not take the top prize, every reward counted as an achievement for being recognized making us very happy. I appreciated the teamwork built throughout camp as we earned points and finished tasks as a group. We took group photos with the other campers and the camp organizers and said goodbye to one another.

The Zepherin Camp was a great experience to learn about the Salesian community, expand my faith, and develop as an individual. I also got to know other young people from various Don Bosco settings who shared similar values and dreams about finding our vocation. The Salesian community will always have a special place in my heart; I felt part of a big family. We all had the same goal: to learn more about ourselves and our Catholic faith and to grow as individuals. Looking back on my experience participating in the camp, I realize it was an amazing opportunity. The lessons I learned, the friendships I made, and the memories I created will stay with me for as long as I can remember. And for those interested in joining the next batch of Zepherin Campers, none of you will be disappointed; it will be an experience you won't regret! •

ON WRITING PROFESSIONAL EMAILS

Martha Ilagan

Since the advent of the first emailing service, email writing has become both an art and a necessary life skill. Even with the emergence of search engines, apps, and artificial intelligence (AI), possessing plausible email etiquette is as good as having effective communication skills. These pointers are good to keep in mind every time we hit that compose button and type away.

1. Writing the subject

• Ensure that the subject is concise. A good rule of thumb is to limit it to 5-7 words. To emphasize any action or reply needed from the recipient, placing qualifiers such as For your action (FYA), Action needed, Urgent may be used. On the other hand, if the recipient needs to be aware but is not required to respond, qualifiers such as For Your Information (FYI), For Your Reference (FYR) may be used as well. This helps the recipient save time and set priorities when reading emails.

• Avoid writing amounts, excessive punctuation marks, or clickbait words in the subject. This can lead to your emails being detected as spam or malicious content.

2. Composing the body/content

• Address the concerned recipient. Similar to writing emails, it is good to start emails with “Dear <name>” or “Hi <name>,” which depends on the culture of the company or organization, as well as the tone and content of the email.

• Introduce yourself. This is important, especially when emailing the recipient for the first time. A 1-2 sentence introduction in relation to the content or request would be especially helpful and provide more context to the purpose of the email.

• State the purpose of the email clearly. After the salutations, greetings, and introductions, getting straight to the message of the email is key. As much as we have surpassed the age of character limits in messages, this is also not the avenue to continuously rave or rant regarding a certain subject. Treat emails as avenues to save time and resources for an actual meeting.

• Divide your thoughts into paragraphs. Work and corporate emails tend to be shorter and more succinct in paragraphs than articles, papers, or even traditional letters. This is due to recipients having to deal with teeming inboxes or senders chasing deadlines and working hours. You may also use bullet points as necessary.

• Check grammar and spelling. Even if the recipient is not our boss, professor, teacher, or any authority that may score our performance, proofreading especially for grammatical and spelling errors, adds credibility to the intent of our emails.

• Avoid using excessive exclamation points, emojis, or GIFs. An occasional smiley is friendly; using it at the end of every sentence is abominable. Anything in excess lessens the recipient’s credibility and the email’s importance.

• Use standard fonts, font colors, and font sizes. Emails with too many colors and fonts will lose the subject’s interest.

3. Replying to an email thread

• Reply only to the concerned parties. Avoid clicking Reply All right away, and assess carefully if all the email recipients should be in the purview of your reply, especially for delicate and sensitive matters. Some original email recipients may have been included as an FYI party.

• Address the recipient correctly. Aside from the appropriate salutations, make sure to take note of how the sender signed his/her email. In many settings, using the first name is acceptable.

4. Concluding an email

• State or emphasize the action needed from the recipient. If this has not yet been stated in the body, list the action items, requests, or necessary responses from the recipient. Include clear deadlines and other necessary details, e.g., date, time, location, and contact information.

• Thank the recipient for his/her time. Emails are not real-time interactions, therefore, leaving a good impression on the reader is essential to keep the communication lines thriving. Aside from expressing gratitude for their time, statements such as “I look forward to your response/our succeeding correspondence” put gentle emphasis on the need of the recipient to reply.

5. Writing the signatory

• Use the appropriate complimentary close. “Sincerely,” and “Regards,” are safest and most polite endings to emails, especially if the familiarity and relationship between the recipient and the sender have not yet been established. A more personalized and contextualized one may be used once the tone of the virtual communication has been set. In some settings, this may be omitted in replies.

• Include necessary information. Make sure to include necessary ways and means to contact you, which may include your work address, work mobile number, and messaging applications (as necessary). This is also your chance to include the name by which you wish to be addressed in replies. Similar to the complimentary close, this may also be omitted in succeeding replies.

6. Pointers to keep in mind

• Add the recipients last. This ensures that the recipient will not read a half-baked email should the sent button be hit accidentally.

• Double-check attachments. Email service providers nowadays provide a prompt whenever they detect content or a body that intends to send files (e.g., “Please see attached file”). More importantly, ensure that the right file is attached.

• Use a professional email address. This goes without saying. Using 2000s Yahoo Messenger emails (coolkid2008, babygirl_potat045 – you catch the drift) must be left for use with friends.

• Maintain a professional tone. This does not necessarily mean being cold and heartless. Emails can deliver warmth, assertiveness, or the necessary tone without disrespecting the recipients or stepping on their boundaries. Remember that emails, once sent, are difficult to retract.

• Utilize resources for specific email subjects. Sample emails and templates are available online for various purposes—including but not limited to cover letters, solicitation letters, invoicing—and even difficult emails such as resignation letters.

While we are not expected to be Wordsmiths or Shakespeares, having a good sense of writing emails can benefit our professional or academic growth and build collaborative and harmonious relationships with our colleagues, peers, and figures of authority. •

After graduating in 2015 with a degree in industrial engineering, Martha has been in the tech industry for seven years, with roles involving strategy, data analytics, and business operations. As a team manager, she has received continuous training in collaborative communication and people development. She is currently involved in the Salesian family as a member of FIN Commission on Social Communication (CSCom), after having volunteered at SYM-FIN. Her full professional profile may be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-dominique-ilagan

CENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF MOTHER CATHERINE DAGHERO, FMA

Edited Excerpt from circular 1035 of Mother General and the Sisters of the Council

The 26th of February 2024 marked the centenary of the death of Mother Catherine Daghero, FMA, who, at only 25 years of age, succeeded Mother Mazzarello in leading the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. She carried out this task for 43 years maternally and wisely, with authoritativeness and missionary zeal.

Sr. Catherine knew Don Bosco and was accompanied by him from her first formative experiences and in her mission in contact with the reality of youth in Turin who were different from that of Nizza and at the onset of her task as Superior General.

The most difficult time was leading the Institute to comply with the changes requested by the Holy See after the issuing of the Normae secundum quas in 1901. Yet, that pruning revealed the Institute's solidity and charismatic potential. Mother Catherine and all the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians could count on the discreet and wise fatherhood of Fr. Michael Rua as a guarantee of fidelity to the same original spirit.

During her time in government, the Institute obtained recognition of Pontifical Right and initiated the cause of the beatification of Mother Mazzarello. With the valuable collaboration of the General Councilors and with bold faith, she continued to send the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to the most distant mission places, so much so that, at her death, the Institute was present in 34 nations of 4 Continents. She made over 400 journeys, America included, with the desire to "see for herself" and be a maternal and understanding presence among her daughters with the clear aim of reaching the mission with open-mindedness and courageous determination.

She made over 400 journeys, America included, with the desire to “see for herself” and be a maternal and understanding presence among her daughters ...

According to the Preventive System of Don Bosco, Mother Daghero promoted catechetical and social works and Normal Schools to form qualified religious and lay teachers. In 1900, the accreditation of the Normal School in Nizza was accomplished. Many competent missionary educators and municipal teachers were formed in that school. She also encouraged the opening of numerous festive oratories and the animation of the parish catechesis, exhorting the sisters, "Do not pay attention to toil, to sacrifices for the good of the oratorians...open, open the doors wide in the oratory... you will be formed by studying and teaching catechism." She courageously accepted the invitation for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to direct boarding schools for workers, hostels for university students and employees, and other ed-

ucational and promotional works that responded to the needs of a world in transformation due to the Industrial Revolution, with many girls joining the workforce outside the home. She was open to collaboration with lay associations and various administrations to encourage assistance and preventive formation. Her charity and loyalty to the Da mihi animas cetera tolle drove her intense governing activity. •

SR. RUNITA BORJA, FMA RECEIVES A RECOGNITION FROM THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN THE HOLY SEE

Rome (Italy). The Embassy of the Philippines to the Holy See has conferred on Sister Runita Galve Borja, General Councilor for Youth Ministry of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, an award for service to the Church and the Country. The award, officially conferred on 3 November 2023, was handed to her at the Embassy of Rome in February 2024.

In the Letter addressed to Sister Runita, the Ambassador, Mrs. Myla Grace Ragenia Catalbas Macahilig, expressed herself as follows:

“As we recall the theme ‘Donated to donate’ of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines (2021), we realize that the Philippines has come to a point where it is in a position to ‘give back’ to Mother Church.

One of the most precious gifts that the Country has offered to the Church are her many sons and daughters who have chosen to undertake priestly/religious life. At this time, we see many of these priests and Sisters taking positions of responsibility and leadership in their respective orders/congregations.

For her part, the Embassy believes that the time has come to recognize the service that these leaders are rendering to their communities and to recognize that, in assuming these roles, they also honor the Philippines and the Philippine Nation.

I have the privilege to inform you that we have identified you as one of these honored leaders, in recognition of the service you are rendering to the Church and the Country.”

Congratulations to Sister Runita, with the hope of continuing with the same passion and enthusiasm in her service to the Institute and to the Church, in the spirit of the “da mihi animas” for the salvation of young people, especially the poorest. •

Sr. Runita’s response on the receipt of this award which she addressed to the Salesian Family “I was surprised by this recognition, but I accept it with gratitude, in the name of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian Family in the Philippines. Let us continue to believe in the noble mission of educating young people, inspired by the life and message of Jesus Christ: to build the world as a home for all, for the present and the future generations.”

ASC-FIN PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR ATTENDS THE WORLD COUNCIL

MEETING IN ROME

Manila, Philippines (March 2024). The World Council of Association of Salesian Cooperators, composed of the World Coordinator, Delegates, Executive Officers, and World Councillors from the 12 regions, including the ASC-FIN Provinci al Coordinator, Imelda D. Benitez-Dometita, who is concurrent World Councillor for the East Asia Oceania (EAO), met on March 14-17, 2024, in Rome, Italy.

The meeting agenda included 1) the review of 6-year activities for each region since the 2018 World Congress, 2) formation sessions, and 3) approval of decision matters related to support for worldwide Project Mariana, the confirmation of the Rector Major’s nomination to continue the term of Antonio Boccia as the World Coordinator, the guidelines for the setting up of the Regional Consulta and Regional Secretariat, the preparation for the 6th World Congress on 2026, and the ongoing 3-year preparation which is now on its 2nd year towards 150th Founding anniversary of the Association 1876-2026.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the World Councillors of the different regions to seek guidance and clarification on administrative matters and concerns and share best practices. The World Council meets quarterly via an online platform. The next on-site meeting in Rome is scheduled for April 2025, in time for the Jubilee Year.

It was the first time Benitez-Dometita had attended the onsite meeting since her election as World Councillor in the May 2023 EAO Regional Congress held in Hong Kong. She is the first Filipino to be part of the World Council. •

Imelda Benitez—Dometita

The meeting was also an opportunity for the World Councillors of the different regions to seek guidance and clarification on administrative matters and concerns and share best practices.

ASC World Council

DBEC MAKES A LEARNING JOURNEY TO THAILAND

Charo Mae Lampad

On March 20, 2024, a benchmarking activity in two Don Bosco Schools within Bangkok, Thailand was spearheaded by Don Bosco Educational Centers (DBEC) for the school leaders of the different Don Bosco settings in the Philippines.

Headed by Bro. Carmelo L. Martinez, SDB, DBEC BED Chancellor, the school leaders from Makati, Canlubang, Tarlac, Bacolor, Mabalacat, Mandaluyong, and Cebu visited Don Bosco College of Technology and Saint Dominic School, respectively. This endeavor is in line with DBEC’s Learning Journey Project.

Fr. Manachai Tarachai, the Vice Chancellor and Manager of Don Bosco College of Technology, led the hospitable welcome among the visiting school leaders from the Philippines. He brought the group to the school chapel, where artistically lighted glass mosaics of Don Bosco’s life scenes were displayed. The technical programs and college education in school factory format for the regular trainees and the deaf and mute were also thoroughly shared and opened for viewing to the group. Before noon, the group was offered sumptuous Thai meals with fresh fruits and the well-known “pad thai.”

In the afternoon of the same day, the group was toured by Fr. Malachi to Saint Dominic School, which is situated just in front of Don Bosco College of Technology. Here, the benchmarking group was toured to view the modern facilities of the school: SD Stadium, Music Zone, Auditorium, John Bosco 200th Anniversary Memorial Building, and St. Dominic Museum. The learning experience and fruitful meeting of Thai and Filipino Salesian Educators were made more meaningful as Master Piyathai Kosinan, Assistant Director of Policy and Planning of Saint Dominic School graced the affair with souvenirs and tokens distributed to the Salesians and Salesian Educators.

It was indeed a day of meaningful collaboration and realization of how the Salesian way of Education is manifested in different parts of the world. •

VATICAN – VENERABLE CAMILLE COSTA DE BEAUREGARD WILL BE BEATIFIED ON 17 MAY 2025

Agenzia Info Salesiana (infoans.org)

(ANS – Vatican City) – On 4 April 2024, Archbishop Edgar Peña Perra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, communicated to Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, that the Supreme Pontiff Francis has granted that the Rite of Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God Camillo Costa de Beauregard, Diocesan Priest; born in Chambéry (France) on 17 February 1841 and died there on 25 March 1910 – whose Cause is entrusted to the Salesian Postulation – will take place on Saturday, 17 May 2025 in Chambéry, France. The Holy Father’s representative will be Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

The Venerable Servant of God Camille Costa de Beauregard was born in Chambéry, France, on 17 February 1841, fifth of the eleven children of Marquis Pantaleón, gentleman of King Charles Albert, and Donna Marta Saint-George de Vérac. Having completed his studies in several religious colleges, he experienced a period of loss. After the crisis, in November 1863 he entered the French Seminary in Rome and on 26 May 1866 he was ordained a priest in the St John Lateran Basilica. After ordination he spent another year in Rome, continuing his studies and refusing to enter the Academy of Noble Ecclesiastics to pursue a diplomatic career. He therefore returned to his diocese in Chambéry and on 3 August 1867 was appointed assistant parish priest of the cathedral.

The cholera epidemic left a large number of orphans as a sad legacy: the Abbé Costa de Beauregard then decided not to abandon them to their hard fate by bringing them together in a building donated by Count Ernest de Boigne. Thus began de Beauregard’s commitment to orphans and the education of children by reading the needs that history placed before him, from a perspective of faith. The Orphelinat founded in Le Bocage, on

the outskirts of Chambéry, has developed over the years with several branches, thus being able to accommodate up to 175 young people.

Abbé de Beauregard stands out for the attention paid even to the smallest details of the charitable and social activity of his Work, often taking care personally, and even in the smallest details, of the progress of the houses, workshops and farm for the preparation of children for future farmers. The Venerable’s rich charitable and apostolic activity, his zeal as an educator and formator is particularly praised, teaching young people to live a Christian life: teaching the faith and catechetics is a task that he reserved for himself.

Fully committed to what he felt was his vocation, he twice declined the offer to make him bishop. The rich heritage that he inherited from his aristocratic family gave was completely given to his work, starting with the Orphelinat del Bocage, a work that would continue over time under the direction of the French Salesians.

His spiritual and apostolic profile, characterised by the exemplary practice of virtues such as charity, humility and poverty, would be described by

the Archbishop of Chambéry, Archbishop Dominique Castellan, as a “happy encounter of the charity of St Vincent de Paul with the gentleness of St Francis de Sales.”

Abbé Camille Costa de Beauregard died on 25 March 1910, a few months before the episode of healing, attributed to his intercession, of the little orphan René Jacquemond. His mortal remains were transferred to the Orphelinat du Bocage almost immediately, in 1911, by virtue of the reputation he immediately enjoyed, while Abbé Ernest Costa de Beauregard was his successor. The introduction of the Cause of Beatification took place on 25 January 1961. Pope St John Paul II authorised the publication of the Decree on the Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God Camille Costa de Beauregard on 22 January 1991.

From the beginning, the Cause for the Beatification of Camille Costa de Beauregard was followed by the Salesian General Postulation. In recent years, the Postulator General, Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, with the collaboration and support of the Archdiocese of Chambery, the Costa de Beauregard Committee and the Fondation du Bocage, has accompanied and promoted the Cause of the Venerable.•

LETTER OF CARDINAL ANGEL FERNANDEZ ARTIME ON THE EVE OF HIS EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

My dear Salesian confreres, my dear brothers and sisters in the Salesian Family throughout the world: please accept my warm and affectionate greetings, especially at this time.

The reasons for my writing to you today, right on the eve of my Episcopal Ordination, at the nomination of the Holy Father Pope Francis, is to officially and definitively pass on to you my personal situation with regard to our Congregation and the Salesian Family.

Some time ago, Pope Francis expressed to me his wish that my Episcopal Ordination would take place during this Easter season together with our Salesian confrere Archbishop-elect Giordano Piccinotti, and that I could continue my service until the appropriate date. So, trusting always in the Lord, who is the only guarantor of our lives, the following is definitive:

1. The Holy Father has prepared a document for me with the ‘deroga’ (an Italian term meaning “an exception to what is legislated”, in which he authorises me to continue for a further period as Rector Major, after having received episcopal consecration). This document containing the Holy Father’s authorisation has already reached us and is in the archives of the Congregation.

2. In agreement with Pope Francis, I will conclude my service as Rector major towards the evening of 16 August this year, 2024, following the celebration of the 209th anniversary of the birth of our father at Colle Don Bosco. On the same day we will celebrate the closing of the ‘Youth Synod’ with the young people, a Synod in which 370 young people from all over the world will have participated on the occasion of the bicentenary of the dream at 9 years of age, an event for Don Bosco that was a dream-vision and a programme for life that has come down to us.

On that afternoon, in a simple act, I will sign my letter of renunciation in accordance with Article 128 of our Constitutions, and I

will hand over this document to the Vicar of the Rector Major Father Stefano Martoglio who, according to Article 143, will assume the government of our Congregation ‘ad interim’ until the election of the Rector Major at GC29 to be held in Valdocco (Turin) from 16 February 2025.

3. Certainly from now on, but particularly from that date onwards, I will be attending to the service that the Holy Father will indicate to me.

I wish to thank the Lord, together with all of you, my dear brothers and sisters, for how blessed we have been over these last ten years, both as a Salesian Congregation and as the Family of Don Bosco. The Lord has assisted us in his Spirit and our Mother the Help of Christians has never let go of our hand. And we are certain that this will continue to be the case in the future because “She has done everything”.

My final word at this moment is addressed to Don Bosco who will undoubtedly continue to look after his Congregation and his precious Family

With true affection and united in the Lord,

Angel F. Card. ARTIME Rector Major

TWO NEW SALESIAN SHEPHERDS FOR THE CHURCH – CARD. ÁNGEL

FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME AND ARCHBISHOP GIORDANO PICCINOTTI

Agenzia Info Salesiana (infoans.org)

(ANS – Rome) –The Episcopal Ordination of two eminent sons of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and Titular Archbishopelect of Ursona, and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, Titular Archbishop-elect of Gradisca and President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) took place in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major this evening at 3:30 p.m.

His Eminence, Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, Emeritus Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, conferred the Episcopal Ordinations, alongside two co-consecrators: Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, SDB, Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco; and Mons. Lucas Van Looy, SDB, Emeritus Bishop of Ghent, Belgium.

Number of Church prelates and important dignitaries participated in the Eucharistic celebration, the families of the newly consecrated Salesians, friends, benefactors, and members of the Salesian family, joined by special invitees from governments, the military.

In his simple and impactful homily, Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, the Principal Consecrator, shared insights with the soon-to-be-ordained bishops, affirming, “We have gathered here to celebrate one of the greatest miracles of the Church: the Apostolic Succession. Since

the time of the Apostles, this succession has been transmitted through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The grace of the Episcopal Ministry has always been passed from one bishop to another, and this unbroken succession continues to this day.”

Quoting Pope Francis, Cardinal Tscherrig stated, “Becoming a bishop implies a missionary choice capable of transforming everything.” He emphasized that those who accept the role of shepherds in Christ’s flock should learn to see people through the eyes of Christ, think like Him, and love like Him. Quoting Pope Francis once more, he affirmed, “Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life the most are those who leave the security of the shore and become excited about the mission of communicating life to others.” He concluded affirm-

ing that the bishop’s inheritance was not honour or power, but God alone. A good shepherd offers his life for the flock, following the example of Jesus Christ, and the newly consecrated bishops are called to emulate Him completely.

Soon after the homily, the consecration ceremony commenced with the interrogation of the candidates, followed by the invocation to the Holy Spirit and the solemn intercession of the litany of all Saints, accompanied by the choir’s prayerful singing. As the consecrators performed the apostolic tradition of the imposition of hands, a sacred silence penetrated the magnificent adorned walls and roof of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. After being anointed and receiving their respective mitres, rings, and staffs, the two newly consecrated Bishops were symbolically enthroned, greeted by thunderous applause. The faithful, religious,

clergy, and choir erupted in thanksgiving and joy, solemnly singing the “Te Deum.” The two newly consecrated Bishops proceeded to impart their Apostolic blessings to all those present.

After Communion, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, representing the two newly consecrated Bishops, expressed his heartfelt gratitude with great enthusiasm in a Salesian spirit. He affirmed the strong communion of the Salesians with the Church and the Holy Father, which stems precisely from Don Bosco, and with great humility and conviction declared that they will continue to serve the Church, especially the poor. The final solemn blessing by the President of the Mass concluded the entire celebration, accompanied by the resonating voices singing the traditional hymn to Don Bosco, “Raise your voices…Don Bosco be with Us!”•

+FR. EDWIN GENOVIA

November 3, 1963 – March 5, 2024

Compiled by Fr Ambrose Pereira sdb

‘Death for the Salesian is made bright by the hope of entering into the joy of his Lord’ Salesian Constitutions 54

Port Moresby, 9th March 2024: “As we gather to celebrate the life of our dear priest, father, and friend, Fr Edwin Genovia SDB, let us remember the laughter, love, and joy he brought into our lives. May his memory continue to inspire and uplift us as we navigate this world without him. Together, we can honor his legacy and cherish the moments we shared with him,” said Fr Clifford Morais SDB, Rector of Fr Edwin Genovia SDB, at the Eulogy.

The vice-province of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands celebrated the life of Fr. Edwin Genovia SDB on the 9th of March with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at 3 PM at the shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Boroko, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He was then laid to rest at the Salesian Memorial, at the rear end of the Emmaus Conference Centre.

Fr. Edwin Genovia SDB was born in Manapla, Negros Occidental, Philippines, on the 3rd of November 1963. He made his first profession on 1st April 1984 and his perpetual profession on the 24th of March 1992. He was ordained priest on the 8th of December 1993 at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Parañaque City. He returned to his maker and Lord on the 5th of March 2024.

‘When it happens that a Salesian dies working for souls, the Congregation has won a great triumph’ Salesian Constitutions 54. “Like Don Bosco, Fr. Edwin gave himself to his last breath for the salvation of young people,” said Fr. Provincial as he spoke at the eulogy. “Dear Fr. Edwin, I would like to thank you, on behalf of the PGS Vice-Province, for your true missionary example of dedication, simplicity, self-sacrifice, optimism, and generosity in offering your life for the mission. We say not a goodbye, but, hopefully, ‘Till we meet again’ in the Salesian garden with all the Salesian saints in heaven,” said Fr Gregorio.

The body of Fr Edwin arrived on 8th March from Don Bosco Simbu Technical College, Kumgi. It was welcomed by the students of Kumgi and laid in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians. A steady stream of staff and students prayed, paid their last respects, and filed past. The atmosphere was quiet and reflective, as several

shed tears and recalled memorable encounters from the life of Fr. Edwin.

His Excellency Peter Baquero SDB, Bishop of Kerema, celebrated the farewell Eucharistic celebration. His Excellency Justin Ain, Auxiliary Bishop of Wabag, Fr. Gregorio Bicomong SDB, Provincial, Mr. Jose Noli Genovia, brother of Fr. Edwin Genovia SDB, represented the family, Salesians of the vice-province, members of the Salesian family, priests, brothers, religious, students, family, and friends were present for the celebration. The choir was formed of De Sales residents, Mary Help of Christians residents, and DBTI staff. All who were present had ties of friendship with Fr Edwin. Over the years, he was assigned to the different institutions in Papua New Guinea, Araimiri, Vunabosco, Vanimo, Gabutu and Kumgi. To his students, he was their teacher, friend, inspiration, comfort, and joy.

At the homily, Bp Peter spoke of how Fr. Edwin lived his life of love in a simple, concrete, tangible, and unique way. “He called himself Fr. Edge, a combination of the first two letters of his name and surname. Even his Facebook account is: edge.png@ yahoo.com. As a principal, he was strict and demanded a standard. He was available and generous and lived his life expressing love in small things that made people happy”, said the bishop. He thanked him for his love and pastoral care for people as he celebrated Masses, and baptisms. He then invited us to reflect on how we live our lives of love.

Fr Edwin has laid a solid foundation for Simbu. “Edwin was an avid gardener, a builder, a musician, and a good father to the

young. His hard work is a testament to his belief in growth, change, and the idea that beauty can bloom even from the darkest corner. The seeds of love planted in the garden will continue to grow and bloom, bearing flowers and fruit in the hearts of the students.

“He was a friend who was always there, in good times and bad. In the community, he was our rock when we were adrift; our compass when we lost our way. His friendship was a gift, one that unwrapped every day, one that brought us immense joy and comfort, love, and confidence”, said an emotional Fr Clifford.

Speaking about his last day, Fr Clifford said, “On Tuesday 5th March, though he was recovering, yet he was anxious to go to class and took three classes at a stretch, period 3, 4 and 5. At period 6 he went to the convent and asked the housemaid to prepare the list of food so that he could inform Fr. Clifford to purchase the same as he returned to the community. He then returned to the sofa and gave up his breath. ‘It is finished.’”

A farewell Eucharistic celebration was held on the 7th of March at Kumgi. His Excellency Paul Sundu, Bishop of Kundjawa, together with priests of the diocese, staff, students, and friends, bid farewell to Fr Edwin. Bp. Paul highlighted his dedication and commitment to the education of the young men and women of Papua New Guinea.

He was fondly remembered at celebrations held in Araimiri, Vunabosco and other institutions. At Sivarai Namona, he was remembered by the LKK leaders of the parish of Mary Help of Christians, Sabama, who were at their recollection.

“Fr. Edwin, you were a blessing in our lives, a friend who left footprints of love and kindness in our hearts. As we say goodbye, know that your spirit will continue to live on in the garden of our memories, in the bloom of every flower, in the rustle of every leaf, in the beauty of Kumgi. Rest in peace, dear Fr. Edwin. You will be missed, but your spirit, our love, and our light will forever shine in our hearts. We will surely miss you,” concluded Fr. Clifford. •

He was a friend who was always there, in good times and bad. In the community, he was our rock when we were adrift; our compass when we lost our way.

+CIPRIANO ‘CIPI’ NOLASCO

April 30, 1934 – March 23, 2024

Cipriano G. Nolasco (fondly called Cipi) passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of March 23, Saturday, just a day before Palm Sunday. He was 89 years old. His wife, Liceria ‘Cery’ Nolasco passed away last November 14, 2017. He is survived by six children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. He is the father of Fr. Drans, now assigned at Word And Life Publications.

Born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila, he was known to relatives and friends as a cheerful person, a storyteller, a DIY guy, a car enthusiast, a terrific dancer, and a singer. He was always the life of the party in the family, in the office, and in the community. There was no dull moment when he was around.

He finished his Bachelor's in political science at the Jose Rizal College in Mandaluyong City (now Jose Rizal University). He worked in the Sales Division of Getty Oil Philippines which he served for more than two decades until his early retirement in 1980 due to blindness that was caused by retina macular degeneration.

His being blind eventually became the spiritual cross that he would carry for more than four decades. He once told Fr. Drans that through his blindness he was able to see God more in his life. While spending more time at home with Cery, who lovingly and patiently assisted him in his blindness, he found himself having more time to pray by himself or with Cery. Instead of losing his faith in God, his blindness allowed him to strengthen his faith in God. He completely placed all his trust in God’s love.

When Cery suffered her second stroke in 2012, Cipi was there to give his wife all the love and care she needed. He would sit beside the bed of his wife and would either tell her stories, sing for her, massage her hands and feet, etc. Cipi and Cery faithfully lived their sacred marriage vows for 59 years (1958-2017) – to love and support each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.

Photo Notes (Top) December 20, 2008, a family photo on the occasion of Cipi and Cery’s 50th Wedding Anniversary (Bottom) April 30, 2023, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on the occasion of his 89th birthday.

Last March 26, his body was laid to rest in the same location where the body of his wife Cery was buried. Since his wife passed away, he never stopped looking forward to the day of his burial.

Cipi received the grace of the Sacrament of the Sick from Fr. Drans three days before he passed away. On the night of March 22, while confined in St. Camillus Hospital in Pasig City, he prayed the holy rosary with Fr. Drans before he went to sleep. While Fr. Drans was tucking him in bed, Cipi uttered the words: ‘Lord, have mercy.’ These prayerful words would eventually be his last words as he died in his sleep on the morning of March 23.

Eternal rest grant unto Cipi’s gracious soul, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace in your heavenly kingdom. Amen. •