Let the Children come to me!
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to [Jesus], for him to touch them. The disciples scolded them, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome thekingdomofGodlike a little child will never enter it.’ Then he embraced them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
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“Let the children come to me.”
When we come to church we hear a lot of jargons. Let us try to understand at least one of them. What does ‘Jesus’ stand for? For me, Jesus stands for ‘Wellbeing’ (a simpler word for ‘salvation’!). He stands for ‘fullness of life!’
In Jn 10:10, Jesus says: “I have come so that [you] may have life […]
Don Bosco
Salesian Values in the African Culture
Inculturation of Salesian Charism in Africa – 2
SALESIAN VALUES IN THE AFRICAN CULTURE
Missionary work is primarily a work of conversion, conversion understood in a holistic sense. However, the missionary is really responsible for only one conversion, his own. It is up to the Holy Spirit to do the rest. (Cf. Spearhead, No.120, p.64) The missionary’s conversion consists in making a genuine effort to better understand and appreciate the culture of the people. If the missionary works on his own conversion, the latter would not only become easy, but would follow spontaneously.
It was in this process of my own conversion that my previous article, “Salesian Presence Vs. Privacy in Africa”, was written for Harambee. The article received several reactions, from within the province and from abroad. There was in general an appreciation of the attempt. One such reaction from Moshi is published in this […]
Salesian Presence Versus Privacy
Inculturation of Salesian Charism in Africa – 1
SALESIAN PRESENCE VERSUS PRIVACY IN AFRICA
Note: This is in no way a scientific work, but only a journalistic writing, originally written for Harambee (AFE newsletter) in 1993. There are two parts to this reflection.
Ndalani is a small Akamba village in Machakos district in Kenya. Last May I had the opportunity to stay in this village for four full days. I stayed and slept in a hut, which was part of a larger homestead. I ate their food (muthokoi). I bathed in the river. I went visiting some families in the village and shared their food and friendship. On the first morning of my stay, my Capuchin friend accompanied me to the river to bathe. When we reached the river, he showed me the place where I could bathe. Then he told me that while I could be bathing there, he would go about […]
Salesian Buzzwords
Administrator
(Bursor)
The one who helps the Rector in the financial matters, caring for the assets and infrastructure of the community.
Becchi
A farm area in thevillageofCastelnuovo D’astiin the region of Piedmont inNorthern Italywhere John Bosco was born. Today the village is called Castelnuovo Don Bosco, and in Becchi stands a big church built to honour our founder – Colle Don Bosco.
Charism, Salesian
A charism is the special contribution that a particular congregation makes in the church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Salesian Charism is the gift of the Spirit to the church to work for the salvation of young people in the style of St John Bosco
Coadjutor (Brother)
A professed/consecrated member of the Salesian congregation who is a religious and not a priest. In English he is simply called, ‘Brother’. Originally in Italian he is called, ‘signore’ meaning Mr.
Co-operator Salesians
These are members of the Salesian Family who contribute to the Salesian mission […]