The real Challenge

THE REAL CHALLENGE – Not to proclaim but to be, Don Bosco.

The Parish Priest of a city church had invited the Salesians to regularly animate and celebrate  the Sunday Youth Mass. After some 9 months however, he aborted the deal  and expressed his concern that his youth would think there was only one saint in heaven.

A Bishop in India had offered a parish to the Salesians who very zealously built 4 Mass centers and invited the Bishop to bless the new chapels. The Bishop observed that all the 4 chapels were dedicated to Don Bosco. On being invited to lunch at the Salesian residence, the good humoured bishop remarked: “let me get back home, before my own chapel becomes a Don Bosco chapel”.

Way back in 1982, the Salesians of Don Bosco set up residence in Nairobi, Kenya. It was their first presence in East Africa, and till then, Don Bosco was unknown to a majority of the Kenyans. In fact, in the first month, seeing the board, “Don Bosco – Salesian Fathers” at the entrance to the villa, a gentleman walked in and asked to see Mr. Don Bosco.  But in less than six months the name and fame of the Founder of the Salesians spread, and on 31^st January, a surprisingly big gathering attended the festive Holy Mass, presided over by Maurice Cardinal Otunga to celebrate St. John Bosco.  Other Religious Congregations were already working in Kenya effectively and with great missionary zeal among the people but they perhaps, did not make much mention of their Founders and someone even remarked, “don’t the other religious congregations have founders? “

No doubt, the Salesians exhibit a great devotion to their Founder, Don Bosco, almost to a fault and sometimes, to the annoyance of others. But, It is precisely this enthusiasm and attachment to the person of Don Bosco that is the bonding force that unites all the members of the Salesian Family and perhaps, explains their apostolic drive and missionary zeal  in the service of the Church and the holistic uplift of poor youth in particular, over the years.  The Salesians, also do not hide the fact that their Founder placed his religious congregation under the patronage of a French Bishop, Saint Francis of Sales. But after the canonization of Don Bosco, in 1931,  the switch from Salesian Congregation (SC) to Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) has since become, not just a boastful slogan but in fact, a ‘brand name’  which today, encompasses the “whole” Don Bosco – his life, his mission, his youth apostolate, his method of education and his salesian family, today.

But now,  in this Bi-centenary Year, 2015, of the Birth of Don Bosco, what is clearly visible in the vibrant celebrations across the world,  is less of  an extravagant euphoria and more of a serious commitment, to be “like Don Bosco with the young and for the young”.

The 27^th General Chapter of the Salesians (SDB) had already discussed intelligently and deliberated wisely on the importance of being realistic and relevant. It redefined the identity of every Salesian to be like Don Bosco: “Mystics of the Spirit, Prophets of fraternal life and Servants of the young”. 

Yes, Don Bosco was not only realistic and relevant in responding to the situations and needs of youth in his times,  he was also bravely resilient, like a tennis ball. Just as a tennis ball bounces higher, the harder it hits the ground, Don Bosco possessed that admirable quality of “resilience”, an important ingredient of Gospel radicality exemplified in Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding the stiff  opposition, persecution, passion and death on a cross, Jesus did not succumb but bounced back. Resilience, ultimately  for  Jesus is Resurrection. Resilience in Jesus Christ, then, more than grit, is a “mysticism”  founded on total trust in God and unconditional fidelity to His Will.

Resilence characterised the life of Don Bosco, too. He lived in deep “union with God” and he literally “hoped against hope” . Don Bosco  grew up from childhood through tough challenges of poverty and faced all kinds of obstacles to realise his vocation as a priest and his mission to be a friend of poor, marginalised youngsters. The harder he hit the floor of difficulties, the higher he bounced to achieve his goals, trusting in Divine Providence and Mary, the “help of Christians”.  It is infact, this quality of  faith-propelled Resilience that is needed to grow into Mystics of the Spirit, Prophets of fraternal life and Servants of the young.

To respond to the complex needs of modern youth, groping in a world of confused values and false promises; and, to carry forward the Salesian Mission beyond this bi-centenary year,  the Salesian Family would do well to shift from being mere story-tellers of the glories of Don Bosco and strive to emulate the realism, relevance and resilience of Don Bosco, the Mystic, the Prophet and the Servant of the young, with the young and for the young.

CHRISTMAS NOT MODIMESS!

Despite the silly and sinister attempts of the villain behind the scenes, Christmas Day was a peaceful day of celebrating love in the family and in society. It is a great pity that the image of the BJP that gave promise of change and development is sinking more and more into a 'modimess' of deception While Mr. Modi continues to proclaim with a loud open mouth to the country and to the world, his vision of a "first world India", his eyes and ears are closed to the hectic and frantic efforts of his fanatical promoters of a 'Hindu Rashtra' based essentially on communalising activities and suppressing minority communities like the Muslims, Christians and others.  With all the intelligence the BJP claims to possess and administrative skills they think they have, I see the the steam-rolling pace of rash governance will destroy the faith the Indian citizens have placed in the ruling party.

Ever since the BJP came to power, through a power struggle within the party and the dictatorship of the RSS and affiliated parties, we have been witnessing mindless efforts to destroy the "un - Indian" heritage of a secular country, rich in its diversity of cultures, languages and even religions. Modi needs urgently to shut his mouth and open his eyes and ears to realise his dream of a properous India is turning into a nightmare, thanks to his "Modimess" of governance.

Though I, in some way was apprehensive of the BJP, the speeches of Modi and campaigns almost gave me hope, that notwithstanding, the new Prime Minister would deliver what he promised: Development and Good Governance. Six months of controversies, communalistic slogans and general unrest in the country is enough evidence to fear for the future of India. 

CIVIL WAR brewing in the Catholic Church.!

The secular press is ntorious for sensationalising news. An Indian daily, The Asian Age in its 11th Nov. 2014 Tuesday edtion featured on its centre page an article by Daniel Thomson with the headlines hinting at "Civil War brewing in the Catholic Church." That indeed is a blind perception of the present happenings in the Church and an even more dumb ignorance of the histry of the Church which has survived Schisms and grown mature through Ecumenical Councils. Far from a 'Civil War' , the Catholic Church is engaged at the highes level of governance in a search for 'Communty Concensus' and is not a "rudderless" ship as made out to be.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, I believe with spiritual Wisdom and moral Courage, the Supreme Pontiff, has clearly indicated the way and led upfront, by following the Gospel radicality of  Jesus Christ, not as Supreme Pontiff but Suffering Servant described by Isaiah. He shines for those who care to see, as a compassionate Pastor of souls, a committed protagonist of the poor and for the poor, and revealing the magnanimous forgiving heart of  Father. is that "rudderless" leadership? In fact, this type of leadership has been long awaited by the laity who have often criticised the pontificating behaviour of its central administration. Have faith, we are moving to more peaceful and loving transformation not only with the Church but in the World, as well. To me, Pope Francis is a Prophet for our times and we need the integrity of his life and teaching to silence the rumblings of arrogance and stubbornness and make the Catholic Church, a Light, Salt and Yeast to build the Kingdom of God. This infact, is already happening for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. That's the Good News we await!         

"Why Bi-Centenary"?, rather, "Why not Bi-Centenary"?

WHY BI-CENTENARY ? Rather, Why not?

“Why BiCentenary”? Well, the birth of Don Bosco on 16^th August 1815, is indeed, an historical event deserving of a worthy celebration to gratefully acknowledge and commemorate a humble country Priest whose life and ministry as a Pastor and Educator, made a tremendous impact not only on the lives of marginalized youth and poor people of his time, two centuries ago, but continued to inspire and benefit  young people and inspire Youth Workers and Educators over the years and across countries, leading to this moment in history, the Bi-centenary Year, 2015.

In the field of Education and Spirituality, Don Bosco, very much present in the Salesian Family he established and the Religious Congregations he founded, remains very relevant today both, as Pastor and Educator. His spiritual message, “God’s will is your holiness” and his educative method based on “Reason, Religion and Loving-kindness” appeal to the young and the old. This legacy of Youth Ministry must live on.     Hence, no question about “Why Bicentenary”?

Rather than “Why Bi-Centenary” perhaps the question to be asked is “How Bi-Centenary ?”     In fact, the Salesian Family, over the last three years began a spiritual preparation with the “pilgrim Don Bosco” visiting the Salesian world and arousing a greater commitment to the Salesian Charism. Careful to sidestep vain and expensive triumphalism, the emphasis, as clearly indicated by the GC27 (27^th General Chapter) has been “to return to Don Bosco” by reclaiming the Salesian Identity: to be “Mystics in the Spirit,Prophets of fraternity and Servants of the youth”.

“Returning to Don Bosco” as a theme of the Bi-centenary obviously suggests that the tone of the celebrations must be less about building monuments’ staging performances and multiplying activities but more about the ‘rebirth’ of Don Bosco’s Spirituality in every individual Salesian.   

The reason for the emphasis on the spiritual tone of the celebrations is clear. Although, over the past two hundred years, on the one hand there has certainly been a positive growth in the Salesian Mission: for example:

·         A fundamental option for the poor & the marginalized youth in particular;

·        A Return to Evangelization and the Missions     (Africa, East Europe, China-Hongkong; Europe);
Opennings into the Islamic world(Gulf,Mid-East);

·        A Professional approach to youth ministry, opening institutes of higher learning and reaching out more to adolescent youth.

On the other  hand, in recent years there has been a growing concern about:
* A superficial Spiritual life lacking depth; 
* A secularization of religious values and the Vows;                 * A focus on Social activism and worldly success; i
* A neglect of community life and family spirit;
* A lesser interest in prayer and priestly ministry;
* A weak assimilation of Salesianity;

And consequently, an increasing vocational frailty, fragility and infidelity.

In the context of such concerns, the Bi-centenary celebrations need to be more realistically focussed on reclaiming our Salesian Spirituality and restoring it to its prime place in the life of Don Bosco, the Union with God. There could not be a more practical resolve to celebrate the Bi-centenry of the birth of Don Bosco  than the determination to redefine the Identity of Salesian Family and every individual Salesiaan as the Union with God.

“Why Bi-centenary”? The answer is clearly written in the “How Bi-centenary” programme of celebrations and the message is “Be Holy, as I am Holy”.    

GREAT EXPECTATIONS ...........greater frustrations!

Congratulations to India's democracy, the results of the elections to the Parliament saw thr baton of Governance snatched eagerly from the INC (Indian  National Congress) by the BJP (Bharatya Janata Party) under the RSS frontliner, Mr. Narendra Modi, now the Prime Minister of the country.

Though I failed to get my name on the voting list and though I still have apprehensive thoughts, I marvel like the rest of Indians at the spectacular victory of the ruling party. Credit is given to the well timed and closely monitored campaign trail across India costing huge expenses. What was intended to be a Lok Sabha election of parliamentarians turned into a saffron Presidential type modelled on USA pattern. The RSS are rejoicing behind the scenes, biding their time to inject their 'Hindutva' schemes. The BJP stalwarts have begun the scramble for power and positions and the 'Modi effect' has even affected the SAARC community. The INC has yet to recover from the decimating experience of being reduced to a less than 50/540 seats in Parliament.  While the BJP received just 31% of votes, 2/3% has either opted for other parties or abstained just silently indicating that the hysteria and hype of the national BJP is just reflecting the choice of 1/3 the voting citizens. The rest are waiting with great expectations or will it be, greater frustrations.
God bless India! 

From shame and scandal to saint and sanctity,

2013, in the Calendar of the Catholic Church will be remembered as the year of shattered faith, ironically in the official "year of Faith". With the announcement in February, 2013, of the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, there followed a media blitz attempting to investigate the the problems at the very heart of the church, the Vatican offices and the Curia in particular. Financial scams, sexual crimes and serious indisciplie were the charges and the secular media lashed out at the Catholic Church unsparingly. Though there were exaggerations, the charges were enough evidence of the shame and scandal in the One, Holy, Catholic and apostolic family of the Church. The liturgical season of Lent saw catholics shocked and saddened with the happenings at the Vatican. While most wore penitential ashes and prayed for forgiveness, not a few moved away from church membership. Easter 2013, with the election of Pope Francis who presented himself as a humbled sinner needing prayers, revived the hope in catholics that "Jesus is risen". Howvever, the scene was not very much different from the shame and scandal in the apostolic times, with Peter and others intending to return to their fishing nets, Thomas voicing the inredulity of the others and the two disappointed disciples returning back to Emmaus. Prophetic witnessing of Pope Francis reflected the post resurrection Jesus appearing several times and places to convince his apostles that "He is risen". As we stepped into 2014 and celebrated Easter, the resurrection message announced emphatically that the Church is not only a church of sinners but also of saints. Mercy Sunday indicated that while the Church may be weak and sinful, it has been always a witnessed to the holiness of Jesus Christ. The canonization of two Popes of recent history rings out clearly the message that Church leadership, in imitation of Jesus has its roots at the heart of Rome.

Not ELECTIONS but SELECTIONS .

The members of GC27, assembled in fervent prayer and openness of mind from 25th March till the week-end to perform a responsible task of choosing the members of the GENERAL COUNCIL. A GENERAL ELECTION] Very clearly, the term "Elections" in democratic and implies a choice of the people and expressed by the people in a process where candiddates "stand for election" and personally or assisted by supporters canvass for votes for a particular rank of position. The candidates and the parties they represent are pitted against eachother as rivals and seek votes,through debates and policy promises to the electorate. Nasty encounters and mudslinging accusations are often part of the process in politics. A clear case in point is the furore over the 'Parliamentary Elections 2014" in India. God forbid it deteriorates into violence and destruction of lives and property. God grant India peace and prosperity, justice and communal harmony in this country blessed with a multitude of cultures and religions. Do General Elections follow the same process in the Church? Here, the process is steeped in a prayerful atmosphere and spirtual context and not a secular contest. The voting community turns to God for assistance to discern the "selection" of the candidate and seen as the choice of God himself. In faith,it has always been God who selects his Prophets from biblical times. We should rather speak of GENERAL SELECTIONS.