From Bukavu, Nyakadaka, Uvira, Goma, to Shasha, the Regional Councilor met the Salesians and the various members of the Salesian Family. "The Extraordinary Visitation is a time of joy and celebration," he said. He also visited the various ecclesiastical authorities of the dioceses of Goma, Bukavu and Uvira.
To strengthen the sense of belonging to the Salesian Family, Fr Chaquisse met the parents of the Salesians in Goma on September 17. After a moment of simple but profound prayer he presented them with the figure of Don Bosco and his mission. “Don Bosco defended the cause of poor young people to give them a voice in society and in the Church; you who have given your children to the Church, know that when a child goes to serve the Church the Lord takes his place in the family," said the Councilor. With smiling faces, the 32 parents expressed their joy and gratitude for the meeting.
Fr Chaquisse also made a prospecting visit to Rutshuru, 70 km from the city of Goma, in the province of North Kivu where the Salesians are not present. Since 1994, the territory of Rutshuru has been the scene of numerous atrocities and conflicts between the various local groups. In this territory of over half a million people, where 70% are young, the local Church develops an apostolate for the poor. Since 2016, the Salesians of Don Bosco have purchased five hectares of land. It should be emphasized that this territory was generous for Salesian vocations: ten Salesians come from this area.
For 39 years the Salesians of Don Bosco have been present in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with four canonically erected communities and three presences. Thirty Salesians of Don Bosco are at the service of over 8,000 poor and abandoned youths.
