The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime, had announced in his letters of 2020 (AGC 432) that 2021 will be the Year of Fr. Albera to mark the 100th anniversary of the second successor of Don Bosco. The Salesian Family continues especially to commemorate this Rector Major throughout the year. Fr. Albera was elected as Rector Major during the GC11, and succeeded Don Rua from 1910 until his death on October 29, 1921.

The Provincial Vicar, Fr. Domingos Leong, said that to commemorate Don Albera, it was necessary to create the material in local languages as the resources available were mostly in Italian. United States East Province had published the English book “A Lamp Resplendent” by Fr. Angelo Franco in 1950. Therefore, Fr. Domingos with the assistance of several young Salesians translated the English book into Chinese in order to fill the vacuum of not having enough Chinese materials.

Fr. Domingos said that the title of the book “A Lamp Resplendent” was originally derived from Don Bosco’s dream. Don Bosco had a dream on the day young Paul Albera was accepted into the Congregation. In the dream, “Paul Albera held a lamp and it glowed like noon....” Fr. Domingos added that in order to increase the readability of the book, the Generalate in Rome was requested to provide some precious photos of Don Albera, including the group photos of the two groups of missionaries sent to China during his term as Rector Major. In addition, there is also an appendix in the book. Fr. Albera passed the chalice he used in the Golden Jubilee of his ordination and the Blessing of Basilica of Mary Help of Christian through the missionaries who were sent to China, to be passed on to Fr. Luigi Versiglia, the superior of the mission of China. Thus, it became a realization of a prophecy.

The second book in Chinese launched during the event was introduced by Fr. Pedro Leung, the Social Communication Delegate of China Province, “Martiri in Cina” by Guido Bosio (the first draft was translated as “Martyrs in China”) published in 1985. It is a tribute to the 90th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Luigi Versiglia and St. Callistus Caravario on the 20th anniversary of their canonization.

Fr. Pedro Leung stated that there are three characteristics to the new book. Firstly, when the author wrote this book; he referred to the handwritten notes of the two saints, contacting people who were contemporaries with the sage, and those who knew and lived in China with them. Secondly, the author has referred to many missionary publications and newsletters to get to know the saint’s missionary work in China, and some photos were brought back from the China Province. Thirdly, the development of the Congregation in China for the first 25 years was centred on Bishop Luigi Versiglia. From the history background, we can see the hard years of China in the early 30 years of the 20th century; it marked a serious social and political turmoil and profound changes.

Similar book launching will be held in Macau on 13th November during the postponed Salesian Family gathering of August 16th.

by Ms Phyllis Tang

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