Arriving in the district of Makati, within the large complex of the National Capital Region, on the evening of Wednesday 23rd, Fr Martoglio immediately experienced a first moment of fraternal encounter at dinner with the Salesians from the four communities in Makati: St John Bosco Parish, Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI), St Ildefonso Parish and the Provincial House community.

The following morning the Vicar of the Rector Major began his tour of the works in the district starting from the DBTI, where he offered an encouraging "Salesian good morning" to the students at school and the Vocational Training Centre and the lay staff of the educational centre and a further moment of conversation with the young student representatives

At the end of the morning with an affectionate greeting to the elderly and sick Salesians in the infirmary dedicated to Saint Artemides Zatti, in the afternoon the Vicar of the Rector Major reached the city of Mandaluyong, also in the National Capital Region. The welcoming ceremony organised by the Don Bosco Technical College was impeccable, with smiles, embraces and representative tributes from the Salesian and academic authorities, in the presence of various members of the Salesian Family.

The institute was then the venue for the meeting with the Salesian Family and the local Educative and Pastoral Community. On this occasion, the Vicar of the Rector Major had the opportunity to hear interesting success stories of Salesian education – such as those of the students who attend the courses remotely, or those who attended the centre's Oratory and now as adults continue to attend and support the work as committed lay people. Fr Martoglio followed everything with interest, before offering his thoughts of appreciation for what he had experienced in Salesian work. Then followed a time for questions and answers for the illustrious guest, and for handing over gifts and tributes, artistic and cultural exhibitions, and finally also a taste of the local gastronomic culture.

On the monthly anniversary of Mary Help of Christians, Friday, 24 November, Fr Martoglio presided over the Eucharist in Parañaque, a city that houses the National Shrine dedicated to Don Bosco's Madonna Despite it being the 7 a.m. Mass, the church was packed with faithful, including Salesians in formation from the two Salesian houses of initial formation in the area – the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco Theological Studentate and the Blessed Stefan Sándor specific formation centre for Salesian brothers from the East Asia-Oceania Region.

The day, full of events, then provided for Fr Martoglio a rich and varied tour of visits, which started from the two aforementioned formation communities and the Rinaldi community of Salesian lecturers, and then went on to two very different situations such as the Tuloy sa Don Bosco citadel that welcomes the most needy youngsters. Here the Vicar of the Rector Major spent the afternoon.

The Salesian presence in Canlubang, in the Province of Laguna, and the meeting with the local Salesian Family, marked  Saturday 25th. Also opened by the Eucharist, this time at the diocesan shrine of Mary Help of Christians, in memory of Mamma Margaret, the morning then continued with a new series of stages and meetings: first the Educative and Pastoral Community of the Don Bosco College Canlubang, followed by meeting with the Salesians who animate the six works in the Province of Laguna, and finally the visit to the posstnovitiate community.

Already in the afternoon, the Vicar of the Rector Major returned to the National Capital Region, to complete his knowledge FIN at the Manila-Tondo complex. On this occasion Fr Martoglio had the opportunity to meet the young people who attend the oratory and Youth Centre and then also the production staff of "Senakulo" a show on the Passion of Jesus.

Before the performance, Fr Martoglio gave a brief but heartfelt speech to the young people present, thanking them for their heartfelt participation in the moments of prayer, a sign, he said, of the real presence of God in their hearts. He recognised the importance of the Tondo Youth Centre, known throughout the Congregation, and which realises Don Bosco's dream for young people. Finally, and with conviction, he said he was sure that Don Bosco was present there with them, smiling from heaven at seeing the young people gathered there.

On the final day of the visit to FIN Fr Martoglio celebrated Sunday Mass for the Feast of Christ the King, and made a visit to the work at Tondo and met with the Salesians at the Provincial House.

• Makati Makati
• Mandaluyong Mandaluyong
• Seminaryo NG Seminaryo NG
• Sandor Community Sandor Community
• Parañaque Parañaque
• Canlubang Canlubang
• Tondo Tondo
• Tondo Tondo
• Tondo Tondo
•  

Tweet