Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hanoi (Fides Service) - Young men in Vietnam are in love with the charisma of don Bosco: more than 430 aspire to join the Salesian congregation. The ideals of goodness, service, joy in following Christ lived by the followers of don Bosco continue to win the hearts of thousands of young people all over the world even in Vietnam where the local Church encounters no few difficulties in carrying out ordinary pastoral duties. The growth of the order in Vietnam was reported- according to the Salesian bulletin ANS - by Father Francesco Cereda, Formation Counsellor for the Congregation who recently visited Sri Lanka and Vietnam from 25 January to 2 February.
In Vietnam Father Cereda met formation staff and young men in formation: 38 boys at Cau Bon, in the last year before entering the novitiate; 24 novices in Ba Thon; 38 post-novices at Dalat; 34 theology students in Xuan Hiep and more than 300 aspirants aged 17-23 in Dalat and Saigon. Father Cereda, who said these boys love for Don Bosco was visible particularly his spirit of missione, also visited Salesian parishes which serve ethnic minorities in Vietnam K’Long and K’Ren.
The formation of these youths is rigid and demanding to make sure their vocation is authentic and not some passing emotional state since their mission will be to serve others in the footsteps of Don Bosco. Father Cereda saw the young people free and happy and this augers well for their vocational journey.
Before going to Vietnam, Father Cereda visited Sri Lanka where he met novices and aspirants and visited Don Bosco technical schools in Kandy and Negombo and a Salesian Centre at Uswetakeiyawa for rehabilitation for child victims of sex tourism.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2004 lines 31 words 368)
