On this second day of the animation visit of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to Hong Kong, August 16, he started his day by meeting a large group of about 250 young people from the schools of the Salesian Family in Tang King Po School. He was welcomed by the young with jubilation and great happiness. The 10th Successor of Don Bosco was asked his view on the current political issue of Hong Kong. Fr Ángel encouraged the young to be non-violent for one needs to believe the strength of non-violence can move the world. Also he invited the young people to strive for justice and care for the marginalized and the poor, like Jesus. Later in the gathering, he sang for the youth with his secretary, Fr Horacio Lopez.
Then in the afternoon, over 300 members of the Salesian Family gathered around Fr Ángel Fernandez who emphasized that the Salesian Family is mainly for the young, especially the calling of the Salesian Cooperators and the Past Pupils who started from the family, caring for their own young people and then spreading it to the world.
Last but not least in the day, the Eucharist is something that cannot be missed. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Zen, who is celebrating his 70th Platinum Jubilee of Profession this year, concelebrated by Fr A.F. Artime, the Provincial Fr Joseph Ng and 6 other priests who are celebrating their anniversary this year, as well as the Salesian priests present. During the homily, he emphasized again that the Salesian Family is for the young, that everyone should treat others with the heart of Don Bosco, so we can make him alive again. He concluded the homily with the Gospel of yesterday. To serve the young is to serve Jesus Christ, and family members should use their time and their lives to serve the young and help them meet with God.
The day ended with dinner with the whole Salesian Family with joy and grace.
The last day of the animation visit, the Rector Major met 70 confreres of the province at the Salesian Missionary House. Most of them are assigned in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and beyond. Among them, there are 7 Salesian Brothers. He thanked the province for all the support and generosity to the Generalate and to the whole Congregation at large. In this frank, open, lively and meaningful dialogue, he shared that the China Province, though facing many difficulties and challenges, is being blessed by the Lord with beauty, health and stability. The province is full of hope as she continues to work for the poor youth, for the missions and the peripheries. He also challenged the confreres to battle clericalism, individualism, any form of corruption, and deal with human maturity through fidelity to one’s Salesian identity, vocation, consecration and mission.
This meaningful, lively and challenging encounter was followed by the Eucharistic Celebration and perpetual profession of our two confreres. Since Don Bosco is already in paradise and not physically present among the young, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco reminded the confreres, including his own self, that they are the Don Bosco of today. They continue the celebration at table with brotherly and spontaneous exchange with great felicitation.
After the interview recording by the Social Communication Department of the province, the Rector Major was accompanied by the Provincial Fr Joseph Ng with other confreres to the airport.
