Hajja Salesjana NOVEMBRU-DIÇEMBRU 2010il-217 Óar©a

IΩ-Ûjara tar-Rettur Ma©©ur

Advent & Advents

God does answer our prayers

The Logo of the Salesians of Don Bosco is made up of two superimposed images: in the background a stylised “S” (Salesians) in white marked to the right and left by two cuttings between the hills (a road). The second image is in the centre of the globe: an arrow pointing upwards resting on three perpendicular legs on top of which are three closed circles making a stylised image of three people: the first of these in the midde and taller (the Salesian) appears as if embracing the side figures (the young). The three stylised figures can also be viewed as an arrow pointing upwards (education / formation) or simply as a dwelling (Salesian house) with three pillars holding it up (reason, religion, loving kindness).

The coat of arms of the Salesian Congregation shows the shining star, the large anchor, the heart on fire symbolizing faith, hope and charity; the figure of St. Francis de Sales recalling the Patron of the Society; the small wood in the lower part reminds us of the Founder (Bosco) the high mountains signify the heights of perfection towards which members strive; the interwoven palm and laurel that enfold the shield either side are emblematic of the prize reserved for a sacrificial and virtuous life. The motto Da mihi animas, caetera tolle (give me souls, take the rest) expresses every Salesian’s ideal.

Óajja Salesjana St. Patrick’s School, Triq San Ìwann Bosco, Sliema SLM 1925 – MALTA Tel. (+356) 2133 0238 / (+00356) 9986 1586 e-mail: hajjasal@salesiansmalta.org

Il-Bulettin Salesjan, imsejja˙ b’diversi ismijiet, ji©i stampat f’56 edizzjoni u f’ 29 ilsien madwar id-dinja u huwa mxerred fi 131 nazzjon

Responsible: Fr. Paul Formosa SDBDirector/ Editor: Fr. Joseph Cini SDBEditorial Board : Margaret Buhagiar, Andre Camilleri, Matthew Borg, Josie Grech.Office: Eileen Alden, Joyce Scicluna.Design & Printing: Salesian Press, Sliema.

Tista taqra ˙ajja Salesjana fuq il-kompjuter: http://www.salesiansmalta.org

Fuqiex se naqraw

Front Cover: Billi din is-sena ja˙bat ic-çentenarju tas-Salesian Brigade, u billi l’istrenna tar-Rettur Ma©©ur tg˙idilna “nwasslu l-Van©elu liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙”, ir-ritratt tal-qoxra juri mumenti fil-˙ajja tas-Salesian Brigade.

A Good Night... on the Good Night 9Advent & Advents 10 Lectio Divina 11Il-Kamp taç-Çentinarju 12Blessed Michael Rua (5) 14Malta Salesjana 20God does answer our prayers 22Long and rewarding journey of God’s love: Fr Martin Tanti sdb 24Three Things 25G˙eΩieΩ Nanniet 26Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti 28Dun Bosco fis-santi u kartolini 30IΩ-Ûjara tar-Rettur Ma©©ur 33

Editorjal / Pedago©ija / Caledar of events / Something to think about / Marian Apparitions

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EDITORJAL

Óajja ta’ OttimiΩmu

IS-SENA 2010 RIESQA LEJN L-AÓÓAR XHUR TAGÓHA. KEMM ÌRAJJIET ÛEWQU L-ÌRANET TAGÓHA! BÓALA FAMILJA SALESJANA MALTIJA WEÌIBNA GÓALL-APPELL TAR-RETTUR MAÌÌUR HEKK KIF ÓUTNA F’HAITI ÌARRBU ÓSARAT DEVASTANTI.

Kemm jg˙addi malajr iΩ-Ωmien, igerrbu l-jiem, il-©img˙at u x-xhur. Pa©na wara l-o˙ra tad-djarju jitnaqqru u jfakkruna li Ω-Ωmien g˙addej u ma jistenna lil ˙add. Façli li nid˙lu f’ritmu u rutina. Ir-riskju tar-rutina jista’ jo˙loq im˙adda komda fejn l-entuΩjaΩmu u l-inizjattiva ©dida jitwarrbu b˙al xi ˙a©a li tqanqal wisq xog˙ol.

Is-sena 2010 riesqa lejn l-a˙˙ar xhur tag˙ha. Kemm ©rajjiet Ωewqu l-©ranet tag˙ha! B˙ala Familja Salesjana Maltija we©ibna g˙all-appell tar-Rettur Ma©©ur hekk kif ˙utna f’Haiti ©arrbu ˙sarat devastanti. Grazzi g˙all-©eneroΩità tal-poplu Malti u G˙awdxi stajna nag˙tu Euro 246,000 g˙all-bini mill-©did tal-iskejjel. Din is-sena wkoll immarkat iç-çentinarju mill-bidu tas-Salesian Brigade. Kienu bosta l-inizjattivi li ttie˙du biex it-tifkira ta’ 100 sena tissarraf f’ti©did u a©©ornament f’dik li hija proposta edukattiva. Kienet sena fejn rajna numru sabi˙ ta’ tfal u Ωg˙aΩag˙ jing˙aqdu mal-Brigade u jsa˙˙u dak li nbeda b’g˙an nobbli snin ilu. L-istess im˙abba u dedikazzjoni tal-Officers fissret impenn lejn it-tfal u Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙, kif xtaq Dun Bosco. Fis-sena 2010 fakkarna l-ewwel sena mill-mi©ja f’ Malta tas-Sorijiet Salesjani, preΩenza sabi˙a u profetika li ssebba˙ il-Familja Salesjana f’Malta u tag˙ti kulur ©did g˙all-˙ajja reli©juΩa femminili fuq l-istil Salesjan. Mhux ‘l-bog˙od wisq kellna wkoll iΩ-Ωjara kanonika tar-Rettur Ma©©ur

li g˙adda jiem ta’ Ωjarat f’kull dar u laqg˙at ta’ t˙e©©i© ma’ kull Salesjan. Mument importanti kienet il-quddiesa li Don Pascual Chavez mexxa nhar il-5 ta’ Settembru g˙all-Familja Salesjana kollha. Ma nistg˙ux in˙allu barra Ω-Ωjara li l-Papa Benedittu XVI g˙amel. Kienu jiem ta’ ti©did ekkleΩjali, ta’ stima pubblika lejn il-Vigarju ta’ Kristu u grazzja minn Alla.

Minkejja l-attivitajiet u t-tifkiriet sbie˙, is-sena 2010 offriet wkoll il-we©g˙at tag˙ha. Numru ta’ ©enituri, Koperaturi u benefatturi ing˙aqdu mal-Mulej fis-sliem. Kienet ukoll sena ta’ grazzja fejn xi studenti Salesjani resqu g˙al stadji importanti fil-mixja Salesjana tag˙hom, min b˙ala Djaknu (2) min b˙ala profess (3) u min b˙ala novizz (2). U issa, in˙ejju ru˙na g˙all-Avvent u l-Milied, a˙na u niftakru li kull mewt tnissel ˙ajja u li kull ˙ajja tnissel tama ©dida g˙all-futur a˙jar. U eqreb milli wie˙ed ja˙seb, se ner©g˙u nsibu ru˙na n˙ejju g˙as-sena 2011. X’hemm merfug˙ g˙alina, ˙add ma jista jg˙id. IΩda f’idejna tinsab iç-çavetta sabiex b’kull mod possibbli nkunu strumenti ta’ paçi, ta’ g˙aqda u ambaxxaturi tal-im˙abba ta’ Kristu lil dinja aljenata u fgata f’ ©id materjali li jg˙addi. Nag˙mlu tag˙na l-appell ta’ Dun Bosco: ejja ng˙ixu kull mument ordinarju b’ottimiΩmu u fer˙ ˙alli b’hekk ise˙˙u affarijiet straordinarji fil-˙ajja tag˙na u f’dawk ta’ madwarna».

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EDITORIAL

Optimism in Our Life

THE YEAR 2010 IS APPROACHING ITS END. THERE WERE MANY OCCASIONS WHICH EMBELLISHED ITS DAYS. AS A SALESIAN FAMILY IN MALTA WE RESPONDED TO THE RECTOR MAJOR’S APPEAL WHEN OUR BROTHERS IN HAITI SUFFERED DEVASTATING DAMAGES.

Time really flies, and the days, weeks and months pass us by. Page after page of the diary fill up and remind us that time waits for no man. It is easy to fall into habits and routine with the risk of creating a comfortable space where enthusiasm and new projects are put aside because they require too much work.

The year 2010 is approaching its end. There were many occasions which embellished its days. As a Salesian Family in Malta we responded to the Rector Major’s appeal when our brothers in Haiti suffered devastating damages. Thanks to the generosity of the people of our islands we sent €246,000 for the rebuilding of schools there. This year we also celebrated the centenary of the Salesian Brigade. The many significant moments that marked the year were meant to renew and bring up to date this wholesome and educative organisation. It was a year during which many youngsters joined the Brigade so as to beef up the corps. The love and dedication of the Officers shown towards the young is a sign of Don Bosco’s spirit. During this year we also remembered the coming of the Salesian Sisters to Malta a year before. Their gentle and prophetic presence adorns the Salesian Family in Malta shedding upon it a new light through the religious and feminine way of life. Not long ago we also

had the canonical visit of the Rector Major who spent time in every House and had encouraging meetings with all Salesians and with the Salesian Family culminating in the Mass at Savio College on Sunday 5th September. And lastly we cannot forget the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to our shores. Those were days of ecclesial renewal, of great affection to the Vicar of Christ and of grace.

Notwithstanding these nice activities and memories, the year 2010 brought also some sorrowful moments. Several parents, Cooperators and benefactors left this world and went to the Lord. Yet it was also a year of grace, in that Salesian students progressed in their formation as Deacons (2), professed religious (3) or novices (2). And now we prepare ourselves for Advent and Christmas, keeping in mind that every death brings forth a new life and every life brings hope for a better future. And then we shall suddenly be in 2011: what is awaiting us there? No one can tell, but we possess the key to making ourselves instruments of peace and unity, and ambassadors of the love of Christ to a world distraught by material goods that do not last. I pass on to you the cry of Don Bosco: let us live every ordinary moment with optimism and joy so that extraordinary things may happen in our own life and that of those around us.

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PEDAGOÌIJASalesjana

Kummenti fuq li Strenna 2010: Il-Van©elu liΩ-Ûg˙aΩag˙Minn Pascual Chavez – Trad. Joe Cini

Di©à rriflettejna fuq is-sej˙a tad-dixxipli, li g˙alihom kien mument deçisiv, li qasam l-img˙oddi mill-©ejjieni ta’ ˙ajjithom u tkompla bil-fedeltà tag˙hom sal-mewt. Issa sejrin niflu l-˙ajja ta’ kuljum ta’ Ìesù u d-dixxipli tieg˙u. Huwa jistedinhom mhux sabiex jitg˙allmu xi tag˙lim jew jiddiskutu ideat reli©juΩi, imma sabiex jaqsmu fil-missjoni tieg˙u: li jkollhom ˙erqa g˙as-Saltna u g˙all-Ligi ta’ Alla/Abba – dan jag˙ti tifsira lil ˙ajtu kollha. Imma s-sej˙a ma hijiex biss g˙al xi xog˙ol li jrid jitwettaq imma mod ta’ ˙ajja fil-profond b˙ala twemmin, dixxipulat u apostolat.

“Huwa sejja˙ lejh lil dawk li ried. ..u g˙aΩel tnax…biex jibg˙athom jippridkaw, u jkollhom is-setg˙a li jkeççu x-xjaten”(Mk. 3:13-15). Is-sej˙a lid-dixxipli sabiex ikunu “Óbieb Ìesù” ma tag˙milx bidla fihom awtomatikament: xorta wa˙da jibqg˙u bid-difetti u l-limitazzjonijiet tag˙hom. Imma l-Mulej jibda proçess ta’ formazzjoni li jintemm biss nhar l-G˙id il-Óamsin: “Meta ji©i hu, l-Ispirtu tal-Verità, iwassalkom g˙all-verità kollha”(Ìw. 16:13)

Wa˙da mid-diffikultajiet li mag˙ha jiltaqa’ Ìesù fid-dixxipli tieg˙u hija l-kburija u x-xewqa g˙all-poter. Fl-istess waqt li huwa j˙abbrilhom

Il-Formazzjoni tad-DixxipliSABIEX TBIDDEL LIN-NIES HEMM BÛONN LI TÓOBBHOM. L-ISFORZ TAGÓNA JASAL SA FEJN TASAL IMÓABBITNA (J.H.PESTOLAZZI)

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il-mewt tieg˙u, huma jibdew jiddiskutu min hu l-akbar fosthom (Mk 9:30-37). Ulied Ûebedew sa˙ansitra j©ibu l-ommhom tg˙addilhom kelma: “Ordna li dawn iΩ-Ωew© uliedi joqog˙du wie˙ed fuq il-lemin tieg˙ek u l-ie˙or fuq ix-xellug fis-saltna tieg˙ek”(Mt. 20:21). L-o˙rajn jinkorlaw, imma Ìesù ma jikkundannax din ix-xewqa naturali, iΩda minflok ifiehem it-triq li twassal g˙as-suççess: “ Min irid ikun l-ewwel fostkom, g˙andu jkun l-ilsir tag˙kom. Hekk ukoll Bin il-Bniedem ma ©iex biex ikun moqdi, imma biex jaqdi” (Mt 20:26-27). Mhux façli li huma jifhmuh dan; `Ìesù re©a’ kkorre©ihom wara li waqqfu lil wie˙ed li ma kienx mill-grupp tag˙hom milli jopra f’isem Ìesù (Mk 9: 38-40); jinkorla mag˙hom meta, quddiem l-g˙adab tas-Samaritani g˙aliex kienu qed jaqsmu mit-territorju tag˙hom, huma jixtiequ jsej˙u nar mis-sema li jeqridhom (Lq 9: 51-69). Quddiem din id-dg˙ufija umana Ìesù juri fehma, sabar u

mog˙drija. Imma ma jçedix fuq l-essenzjali: il-fidi. Din trid tkun hemm. Ma jinteressahx li l-folla ddawwarlu wiççha meta jitkellem kliem iebes (Ìw 6). Fidi Ωg˙ira tintwera wkoll fin-nuqqas ta’ ftehim tat-tifsir tal-parabboli (Mt. 13: 10s) li hu, imbag˙ad, kien ifissrilhom. L-istess meta j˙abbar il-passjoni tieg˙u: “Huma ma fehmuhx dan il-kliem, u beΩg˙u jistaqsuh” (Mk 9:32). Kienet l-attitudni ta’ min jintebah li a˙jar ma jkunx jaf…

F’Çesarija ta’ Filippu Ìesù jistaqsihom x’ja˙sbu n-nies fuqu, u jag˙mlilhom mistoqsija deçisiva: « Imma intom, intom min tg˙idu li jien? » (Mk 8:29). Mhux biΩΩejjed li jkunu jafu x’ja˙sbu l-o˙rajn ; xejn ma jista’ jie˙u post l-opinjoni personali ta’ fidi u devozzjoni lejn il-Mulej Ìesù. In-nuqqas ta’ fidi ji©i muri minnhom, u anki mill-istess kap tal-grupp Xmun Pietru, meta ma jaççettawx il-pjan ta’ Alla. U Ìesù jçanfar lil Pietru bi kliem l-aktar a˙rax: « Itlaq minn quddiemi, ja xitan, g˙ax m’intix ta˙seb fil-

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˙wejje© ta’ Alla imma f’dawk tal-bnedmin! » (Mk 8 :33 / Mt 16 :23). Hemm sitwazzjonijiet meta wie˙ed ma jistax juri dg˙ufija jew kompromess. Il-van©eli ma ja˙bu xejn, l-anqas il-mumenti ta’ mist˙ija. B˙al meta l-appostli abbandunaw lill-Img˙allem fil-lejl li ©ie arrestat; u b˙al meta Pietru ça˙du tlitt darbiet. Imma anki f’dawn il-mumenti suwed, ix-xrara f’qalbhom ma kienitx mitfija : l-im˙abba g˙all-Img˙allem i©©ig˙el lil Pietru «jinfexx jibki »(Mk 14 :72) u lill-o˙rajn jiltaqg˙u ma’ Kristu mqajjem mill-imwiet u mal-qawwa ta’ l-Ispirtu s-Santu (Atti : 1,18). Ma nafux wisq fuq ˙ajjithom, imma nafu li baqg˙u fidili lejn il-Mulej u ssi©illaw din il-fedeltà b’demmhom.

Dun Bosco, mal-ewwel Salesjani, g˙araf juΩa’ pedago©ija b˙al dik ta’ Ìesù. Ma kienx xi ‘nannu’ twajjeb li joqg˙od g˙al kollox ; imma kien missier kollu m˙abba u ftehim, g˙alkemm ukoll esiçenti. Kien jag˙laq g˙ajn wa˙da, minn xi daqqiet it-tnejn, g˙ad-difetti u imperfezzjonijiet tal-kollaboraturi Ωg˙aΩag˙ tieg˙u, imma ma kienx

içiedi fejn tid˙ol il-moralità, min˙abba l-periklu g˙at-tfal tieg˙u. Qatt ma kien sodisfatt bin-nofs kedda, imma kien jipproponi ideal g˙oli ta’ qdusija. B’dan il-mod rnexxielu jipproduçi kapulavuri b˙al Duminku Savio u Ωg˙aΩag˙ o˙rajn li mietu b’fama ta’ qdusija.

DUN BOSCO, MAL-EWWEL SALESJANI, GÓARAF JUÛA’ PEDAGOÌIJA BÓAL DIK TA’ ÌESÙ. MA KIENX XI ‘NANNU’ TWAJJEB LI JOQGÓOD GÓAL KOLLOX ; IMMA KIEN MISSIER KOLLU MÓABBA U FTEHIM, GÓALKEMM UKOLL ESIÇENTI.

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FEASTS & EVENTSNO

VEMBER

DECEM

BERJAN

UARY

CALENDAR OF SALESIAN2010

Read ˙ajja Salesjana on the website: www.salesiansmalta.orgPictures of Don Bosco set to reflective music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1dVsM9KAbw

1 – 3 Mid-Term HolidaysWed 3 Sliema Salesian Cooperators’ Meeting at St. Patrick’s.Fri 5 First Friday Devotions at St. Patrick’s – 6.15 p.m.Wed 10 Prayer Day for Salesian MissionsSat 13 Morning: Quarterly Retreat for Salesians. Evening: Symposium for the Salesian Family at Salesian Theatre Hall, 6.30 p.m. Fr. Michael Cunningham on ‘Salesian Spirituality Today’Mon 15 Bl. Maddalena Morano FMA.Wed 24 Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians at St. Patrick’s – 6.30 p.m.Fri 26 Cultural tour for St. Patrick’s SchoolSun 28 First Sunday of Advent. Sale of Poinsettias at St. Patrick’s Church.

Fri 3 First Friday devotions at St. Patrick’s - 6.15 p.m.Sun 5 Bl. Philip Rinaldi, successor of St. John Bosco as Rector MajorMon 6 Christmas Carols by the Emerald Society at 7.00pm - St. Patrick’s ChurchTue 7 Akkademja in honour of the Imm. Conception of Mary – Savio CollegeWed 8 Feast of the Imm. Conception of MaryFri 10 Prayer Day for Salesian MissionsMon 13 Traditional Christmas Concert at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30 p.m.1 4 – 16 Christmas Activities Week at St. Patrick’s SchoolThu 16 Christmas Pantomime by St. Patrick’s School at 7.00 p.m.Fri 17 Christmas Pageant and School Parties till 12 noonFri 24 Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians- morning only.Sat 25 Christmas DayFri 31 Te Deum Mass at St. Patrick’s – 6.30 p.m. End of the Year Parties at Savio College and Salesiani, Sliema.

Sat 1 New Year’s day. Feast of Mary, Mother of God. World Day of PeaceTue 4 Beginning of 2nd School TermFri 7 First Day of School Term at Savio College. First Friday Devotions at St. Patrick’s - 6.15 p.m.Mon 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions

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This Salesian tradition was begun by Mamma Margaret who, to a second groups of boys Don Bosco had taken in, one evening before they went to bed, gave a little talk. When next morning Don Bosco found them all still sleeping soundly, unlike the first group who had gone off with the sheets and blankets, he gave the credit to the little talk his mother had given them.

“Above all the Good Night is a family event!” Fr Chávez said, recalling how Don Bosco reserved this task to himself or in his absence how Don Rua brought the day to a close: “It is therefore the specific role of the Father of the community, the Rector or the Provincial; even in small communities.”

The Rector Major mentioned three advantages of the practice of the Good Night. The first is that it can restore peace of heart at the end of the day. “We are so used to living life at a fast pace. Nowadays the great danger is to become workaholics, which often leaves us with a sense of frustration, physical tiredness, psychological stress and spiritual emptiness. The Good Night is a moment which helps the confreres to restore peace in their hearts.”

The Good Night helps to re-focus on the centre and the unity of one’s life. “At the end of the day,

we have done and experienced so many things; the Good Night helps us to bring them all together and avoid people going their own way and doing their own thing.”

Finally the Good Night teaches us to see things from a Christian perspective. “It is not a matter of just saying something good, giving information or offering some message, but of seeing life and history through the eyes of a believer.”

“If we let the practice of the Good Night fall into abeyance, the confreres’ lives will become more and more individualistic, isolated. We need to return to the tradition of Valdocco and once again give force and significance to the practice of the Good Night . The Good Night is one of the characteristic features of the Salesians, not found in other Congregations. It is one of the most precious things that we need to preserve!”

A Good Night... on the Good Night

(ANS – Rome) – The Good Night, one of the more characteristic features of Salesian life and culture, was the subject of a short talk by the  Rector Major. The ‘Good Night’ is a short talk given by the Superior to his community and boys. This is given after night prayers, when all have ended their daily chores and/or are going to sleep.

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Three AdventsOne catechetical resource that can stimulate reflection on this question is a famous Advent homily by one of the Church’s most eloquent preachers, St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153). In his homily, St. Bernard suggests that we think not of the advent of the Lord, but the advents Specifically, he proposes, we can consider three advents: the past advent when “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14), the future advent when “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6), and the advent right now in the present when Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts. Even though we’re no longer waiting for the past advent of Christ, we’re still in suspense about his future advent – and perhaps his present one.Traditionally, we refer to those comings using three Images:History: Jesus was a real person born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.Mystery: Jesus is always with us through the gift of grace. Grace is a sharing in God’s own life and love that we cannot understand but believe in through faith.Majesty: Christ will come again – the second Coming – in glory at the end of time.

The Eucharist and the Three AdventsPerhaps the best resource to understand the three advents of Christ is the Eucharist, which is at the same time a memorial of Christ’s past coming into and departure from the world, a promise of his future return, and the way he comes to us today.

Advent

We often think of Advent as the liturgical season of waiting. But it’s worth taking some time to ask “Just what exactly are we waiting for?” Any honest answer to this question must confront a basic difficulty. We know the Lord Jesus has already come and that he, in fact, remains with us. So what is there to wait for?

&Advents

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Il-Lectio Divina hija s-smig˙ attent tal-Kelma ta’ Alla, u t-twe©iba tal-bniedem quddiem l-istess Kelma. Hija laqg˙a personali tal-bni-edem ma’ Alla, li timbuttah lura fil-˙ajja ta’ kuljum sabiex il-˙ajja tieg˙u tkun taqbel ma’ dik ta’ Alla

1. LECTIO - QARI Sib silta mill-Kotba Mqaddsa. Tkun ˙a©a tajba jekk issib silta mil-Litur©ija tal-Kelma li tin-qara fil-Quddiesa tal-jum jew tal-Óadd. Aqra s-silta b’attenzjoni g˙al darba, darbtejn, jew tlieta, u fittex li tifhimha, jekk hemm bΩonn, bl-g˙ajnuna ta’ xi kummentarju. Wara, ˙alli mumenti ta’ skiet biex il-Kelma ta’ Alla tkun tista’ tid˙ol fik u ddawwal il-˙ajja tieg˙ek.

2. MEDITATIO - MEDITAZZJONI Ifhem sewwa s-silta li qrajt. Tista’ tirrepeti xi versi li jkunu laqtuk. Ftakar u aqra siltiet o˙rajn mill-Bibbja li jfakkruk fis-silta li g˙aΩilt, jew siltiet li g˙andhom x’jaqsmu mal-istess silta. Staqsi lilek innifsek x’messa©© g˙andu Alla g˙alik? Dan il-messa©© kif qieg˙ed idaw-wal lil ˙ajtek? Din is-silta x’qieg˙da tg˙idlek biex tag˙mel sabiex tirran©a ˙ajtek u r-relazzjoni tieg˙ek m’Alla ?

3. ORATIO - TALB Il-Kelma t’Alla tqanqal lill-bniedem sabiex iwie©eb lil Alla g˙all-messa©© tieg˙u. Per-mezz ta’ dak li Alla wriek fis-silta mill-Kel-ma tieg˙u, ressaqlu t-talbiet u x-xewqat tieg˙ek, l-aktar sabiex tag˙raf tg˙ix kif jix-tieq hu. Tista’ tuΩa xi Salm li l-kliem tieg˙u jg˙inek tesprimi ru˙ek fit-talb tieg˙ek.

4. CONTEMPLATIO – KONTEMPLAZZJONIDak li bdejt fit-ta˙ri© tal-Lectio Divina, irid jibqa’ mieg˙ek sabiex tag˙raf tibdel ˙ajtek f’dik ta’ Alla. Fit-toroq tal-˙ajja tieg˙ek, ibqa’ ag˙raf dak li Alla jixtieq minnek, u ˙allih ine˙˙i minnek dak li qieg˙ed ifixklek milli ting˙aqad mieg˙u. B’dan il-mod, Alla jkun qieg˙ed jag˙tik li dduq il-˙lewwa tal-preΩenza tieg˙u f’˙ajtek.

Itlob l-g˙ajnuna tal-Ispirtu s-Santu biex kif kien hu li dawwal il-mo˙˙ u l-qalb tal-kit-tieba tal-Bibbja, ikun hu dak li jdawlek sabiex tisma’, taqra u tg˙ix il-Kelma t’Alla.

Dan hu s-sellum li bih nitilg˙u mill-art lejn is-sema… saqajh iserr˙u mal-art imma l-qu-ççata tieg˙u tinfed is-s˙ab u tg˙arrex is-si-grieti tas-sema.

Lectio Divina

12 Hajja Salesjana

Il-kamp sar fil-campsite t’G˙ajn Tuffie˙a ta˙t it-tmexxija ta’ Lieutenant Joe Camilleri, Jesmond Cassar u numru ta’ uffiçjali u leaders o˙ra. Ic-Chaplain Fr.Eric Cachia sdb mexxa s-servizzi reli©juΩi filwaqt li numru konsiderevoli ta’ leaders ˙adu ˙sieb li l-programm tal-kamp jimxi tajjeb u b’mod organizzat.

Il-kamp minnu nnifsu kellu formazzjoni spiritwali, speçi ta’ mixja, li l-campers kellhom jipparteçipaw fiha mill-bidu sal-a˙˙ar tal-kamp, bl-isem ta’ ‘Mission I M possible’.

It-tema tal-kamp kienet iç-çentinarju u permezz ta’ attività kontinwa, il-Brigade wera

li g˙adu b’sa˙˙tu u frisk fl-ideat. Il-campers inqasmu f’erba’ gruppi fejn kellhom jikkompetu bejniethom sabiex jirba˙ l-a˙jar team. Permezz ta’ dixxiplina fuq l-indafa, servizzi, spezzjoni personali u tat-tined u anke m©iba, il-campers jiggwadanjaw mhux biss punti g˙at-team iΩda anke’ tag˙lim g˙all-˙ajja.

Ir-rispett lejn il-bandiera Maltija u l-colours tal-Brigade permezz tal-fall-in, it-talb u l-istruzzjonijiet, ir-rispett g˙as-superjuri u l-formazzjoni reli©juΩa ng˙ataw priorità. Ma naqasx l-anqas li jittie˙du kull prekawzjoni fuq dak li g˙andu x’jaqsam ma’ sa˙˙a u sigurtà

TAÇ-ÇENTINARJUIl-kamp tas-Sajf tas-Salesian Brigade, f’din is-sena çentinarja tieg˙u, sar bejn it-13 u l-21 ta’ Awwissu. Grupp sabi˙ ta’ 61 ru˙ ipparteçipaw f’kamp annwali fejn barra li ˙adu pjaçir tfal u Ωg˙aΩag˙ ta’ kull età, ©ew im˙arr©a f’diversi dixxiplini u attivitajiet li ©ew organizzati.

IL-KAMP

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b˙all-formola ta’ sa˙˙a u kunsens g˙all-genituri tat-tfal, fire drill, ta˙ri© fuq l-ewwel g˙ajnuna, apparat tal-fire fighting u l-ewwel g˙ajnuna, ezerçizzju ta’risk assessment u superviΩjoni kontinwa.

Il-programm kien imballat bl-attività tas-soltu ta’ kull kamp tas-Sajf, bil-˙inijiet tal-ikel ikunu mumenti speçjali fejn kul˙add jin©abar flimkien u jgawdi ikel bnin. Sport ma naqasx permezz tal-volleyball, water games, g˙awm, sajd u l-mixja ta’ bil-lejl. Il-kompetizzjoni g˙at-timijiet waqt il-kamp kienet tinkludi bini ta’ dg˙ajsa u kostum b’materjal riçiklat, treasure hunt u survival game. Attività ta’ ©urnata s˙i˙a kienet tinkludi ˙ar©a g˙all-MuΩew tal-Pulizija, iç-çentru tal-Akwakultura, l-Institute of Renewable Energy f’Marsaxlokk u g˙awma f’bajja ramlija.

Il-Campfire ikkonkluda ©img˙a tajba fejn

il-©enituri u ˙bieb tas-Salesjani attendew g˙all-serata kollha fer˙, talenti u ikel. Il-Brigade qed i˙ares il-quddiem billi jirrekluta aktar membri mieg˙u u jkompli jiççelebra ç-çentinarju tieg˙u sa’ tmiem din is-sena.

Il-kamp ma kienx ikun success minghajr l-g˙ajnuna ©eneruza tal-First Malta Red Cross Branch, Nestlè, General Soft Drinks, Peel & Go, Farsons, Twistees u Alf. Mizzi and Sons.

Is-Salesian Brigade tistieden lit-tfal u Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ ta’ kull età biex jid˙lu membri billi jikkuntatjaw lil Fr.Eric Cachia f’S.Alphonse House jew l-Oratorju Salesjan, Triq K.Galea, Sliema fuq 2133 1447 u email salesjani@gmail.com / salesianbrigade@gmail.com

Joe CamilleriLieutenant Salesian Brigade

14 Hajja Salesjana

Blessed Michael Rua (5)WHILE STILL A BOY, MICHAEL RUA MET SAINT JOHN BOSCO AND WAS SOON WON OVER BY HIM. HE LIVED IN THE SHADOW OF THE SAINT, WAS HIS MOST TRUSTED HELPER, AND BECAME HIS SUCCESSOR AS HEAD OF HIS WORLDWIDE RELIGIOUS ORDER, THE SALESIAN SOCIETY. DECLARED “BLESSED” BY THE CHURCH HE SO NOBLY SERVED, FATHER MICHAEL RUA, WHO SHARED DON BOSCO’S APOSTOLIC LABOURS, NOW SHARES WITH HIM THE HONOURS OF THE ALTAR.

MISSIONARY CROSSES One of Don Rua’s tasks as new Superior General was to give out every year the special crosses for departing missionaries. Some years there were as many as 295 in one group.

Such a function mirrored Don Rua’s life at the time: inspired by missionary zeal on one hand, and harrowed by heavy crosses on the other. “If I only had ten Don Ruas” other Salesians recalled Don Bosco saying, “I could conquer the world.”

To Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia, China, India and the United States, Rua would send his men, mostly rugged late vocations. Typical of these stalwart men of God welcomed by Rua was Father Michael Unia. In four years with the lepers at Agua di Dios (Colombia), almost single-handedly he built a church, settlement, hospital, and school. He

began a vast agricultural plan, bringing water over a hundred miles to that mountainous spot by an elaborate canal system. The whole country mourned him when he died of sheer overwork at the age of 44. Such gigantic ventures cost money, and Don Rua was often at his wits’ end to meet his missionary commitments. Yet, when a procurator, already in financial trouble, asked permission to complete a church building, Rua’s answer seemed paradoxical. “Yes, on one condition – that you find accommodation for fifty poor apprentices.”

It was on his Salesian Cooperators that Rua leaned for such funds, telling them that the survival of society and the renewal of the Church were at stake. Several world congresses were organised, not as shows of triumphalism, but because Rua knew that at such moments a

15Hajja Salesjana

crowd finds its heart and soul. “Courage, we have Divine Providence,” he wrote, “and we have the Cooperators. That is enough.”

His courage was to be sorely tested. From Brazil arrived news of a train accident that killed Bishop Lasagna and several other Salesians; from France and Ecuador news of religious suppression. In Messina, Sicily, it was a disastrous earthquake killing 54 in one Salesian house alone; in Turin itself Rua was called in as an outside arbitrator in a prolonged cotton mill strike; in Poland, an attempted breakaway by “stricter observance” Salesians. On top of that, the Holy Office now decreed that religious superiors could no longer hear confessions of their subjects or pupils – up to this time considered an integral element of Salesian direction in education. For a time also, the Salesian Sisters were compelled to sever all family links with the Congregation. Finally trumped-up charges against the Salesians in Varazze led to unpleasant drawn-out court proceedings. “Don Rua looks like a broken man,” the house chronicle reported at the time. “If the Lord gives me strength to complete this desert crossing,” Rua humbly promised, “I will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.”

A PILGRIM FATHERBy a third-class train journey, by steerage, by

donkey, and on foot, Rua kept his vow. He would visit the many Salesian works in the Middle East. “How these Arab people love Don Bosco!” he marvelled with simplicity when mobbed by enthusiastic crowds.

From there he visited practically every Salesian house in Europe to maintain Don Bosco’s spirit of unity. In London, Bishop Butt made the interesting comparison that he had been more impressed by the gentle, ascetic Don Rua than he had earlier been “by the headstrong Don Bosco.” Cardinal Bourne remained a lifelong friend and admirer of the Blessed, as did many of the English clergy.

In Malta, Don Rua’s visit is commemorated to this day by a street named after him. He was not at all pleased, however, when admirers there were indiscreet enough to snip pieces of his cassock as “relics”. “Not all lunatics are in padded cells,” he was heard to mutter impatiently. In Rome, at the Irish College, Don Rua had a long conversation with Archbishop Carr of Melbourne who asked for a Salesian foundation in his archdiocese.

Before each of these journeys, Brother John Balestra would follow Don Rua’s methodical list when packing his bag and not forget cocoa. This last item was a concession to his weak stomach, for Rua found that cocoa was the only drink he could digest when he was travelling. Such long journeys, in fact, had taken more out of him than he realised, and on his return his health suffered a steep decline.

GENTLENESS AT EVENINGCertainly in the twilight of his life Don Rua seems to have mellowed beyond recognition, all fatherliness and with no trace of the exacting taskmaster. He had heeded Don Bosco’s wish, and had made himself loved. For this reason, possibly, some Salesians have consistently proclaimed him

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“a second Don Bosco.”“I have seen a miracle,” the Cistercian Abbot

at Nice would write, “Don Bosco is reincarnated in Don Rua.” While scrupulously preserving Don Bosco’s ideal, Don Rua had added a definite, distinct contribution of his own, “With Don Bosco – yes; but with the times as well.”

This estimate seems to be confirmed by a former Superior General, Father Ricceri. “Saints are not made in series, and each one has his own special characteristics. But undoubtedly, one characteristic Don Rua did inherit from Don Bosco was that of work: work for his neighbour so prolonged, unstinted and immersed in God that one remains dumbfounded before it – more so, considering his natural frailty. One thinks here of Rua’s constant refrain, “True charity never grows tired.”

For this reason despite his fatigue and weakness, that left him with pitifully swollen legs

and reddened eyes, he would work to the end. But on Carnival Day, with the playground alive with merry-making youngsters, he could not resist the temptation and he dragged himself out onto the balcony to see the festivities. The youngsters below went wild with enthusiasm, madly cheering the frail, bent old man. It was to be their last sight of him.

The great Cardinal Mercier called to see the dying priest and after imparting his blessing stooped to kiss Don Rua’s hand.

His last prayer when he came to die on April 6, 1910, was a short invocation he had learned from Don Bosco as a little boy. “Dear Mother Mary ever Virgin, help me to save my soul.” He had finished the long desert crossing.

On Don Rua’s tomb they wrote a simple epitaph but even that would have embarrassed him. It read, “The Second Father of the Salesian Family.” - END

17Hajja Salesjana

“A good priest is a truly human person who expresses his love for God in prayer and in love for people. These gifts are sanctified and focused through the grace of ordination when he becomes ‘a man for others’.”Cardinal Cormac Murphy – O’Connor

• Do I really want to follow Jesus and show his love to others, especially to the young, as Don Bosco did?

• Is prayer and my own relationship with God at the centre of my life?

• Do I want to be honest and ‘real’ before God and others?

• Do I enjoy the life and company of other people? Am I approachable?

• Am I concerned for the young, the poor and vulnerable?

way of life?

Are youbeing calledto the

PRIESTHOOD

And to the

SALESIANIf you believe you have a calling to be a Salesian priest then contact the voca-tions director, Fr. Louis Grech SDB at:

Tel. 21 454546 / 21 456251 or e-mail: vocations@salesiansmalta.org

for more information www.vocations.salesiansmalta.org

18 Hajja Salesjana

19Hajja Salesjana

Something to think about…

I’ve learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’.

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you;

but, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,

I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one to others.

I’ve learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

And I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

20 Hajja Salesjana

Malta SalesjanaIL-VIGARJU TAR-RETTUR MAÌÌUR FIT-TUNISIJAFr. Adriano Bregolin, Vigarju tar-Rettur Ma©©ur, wasal minn Ruma fl-ajruport ta’ Karta©ni (Tunes) nhar it-30 ta’ Awwissu sabiex jag˙mel il-Visita Kanonika tal-Komunità Salesjana fl-iskola Ìewwa Manouba. Iltaqa’ u sar jaf lis-Salesjani minn malli wasal u matul l-ikla ta’ filg˙axija sabiex l-g˙ada filg˙odu seta’ jag˙mel Ωjara lill-Arçisqof ta’ Tunes, Mons. Marroun Lahham. Aktar tard dak l-istess jum, wara li kompla jitkellem mas-Salesjani tal-komunità, huwa ©ie me˙ud g˙all-ikla ta’ filg˙axija f’wie˙ed mir-resturanti miftu˙a matul ix-xahar qaddis tar-Ramadan. Il-Vigarju kellu ˙in ikellem lil kull membru tal-Komunità sabiex imbag˙ad, nhar il-31 ta’ Awwissu, wara nofsinhar ©ie me˙ud iΩur lis-Sorijiet Salesjani f’Menzel Bourguiba, fejn

PROFESSJONI PERPETWANhar il-Óamis 11 ta’ Settembru, ir-Rettur Ma©©ur, Dun Pascual Chavez, mexxa ç-çerimonja tal-Professjoni ta’ Bro. Clive Mifsud. Din saret fil-Knisja Parrokkjali ta’ San Pietru fil-Ktajjen ta’ BirΩebbu©a, liema knisja kienet mimlija kollha kemm hi bis-Salesjani, qraba, ˙bieb u membri tal-Familja Salesjana. Il-Patrijiet Salesjani kienu hemm bi ˙©arhom sabiex jikkonçelebraw ma’ Dun Chavez. Kollox kien tassew organizzat, b’kant mill-isba˙ u litur©ija mirquma. Kien hemm ukoll presenti is-Salesian Brigade bil-banda tag˙ha sabiex tilqa lir-Rettur Ma©©ur u lill-mistednin kollha. Kienet verament okkaΩjoni sabi˙a li tat gost lil kul˙add.

©ie milqug˙ b’˙afna fer˙. Dun Bregolin telaq lura lejn Ruma fit-tielet jum, 31 ta’ Awissu, wara nofsinhar. B’din iΩ-Ωjara s-Salesjani ˙assewhom verament inkora©©uti fix-xog˙ol tag˙hom fost tfal Misilmin, xog˙ol validu u verament Salesjan.

21Hajja Salesjana

SIÌRA FI ÌNIEN INDIPENDENZA – SLIEMAIs-Salesian Brigade kompliet tiççelebra il-Mitt Sena mit-twaqqif tag˙ha billi nhar il-Óadd, 19 ta’ Settembru, f’çerimonja qasira, ˙awlet si©ra tal-ar©nu (pine tree) u po©©iet lapida kommemorattiva fi ©nien Indipendenza ©o Tas-Sliema. Il-Corp of Drums immarçja tul xi toroq ta’ Tas-Sliema sal-©nien, fejn l-Onor. Ministru George Pullicino ˙awwel is-si©ra. Wara dan, il-commanding Officer, Mr. Joe Giorgio kixef il-lapida li ©iet imbierka minn Dun Joe Forte SDB. L-okkaΩjoni tkompliet b’riçeviment Ωg˙ir g˙al dawk kollha li ˙adu sehem u b’laqg˙a ©enerali bit-tema <<Passat Sabi˙, Futur Isba˙>>.

BBQ B’RISQ ‘7EVEN’Nhar il-Óadd, 12 ta’ Settembru, matul il-quddiesa tas-7.30 p.m., numru mdaqqas ta’ tfal ©ew formalment imsie˙ba mal-Youth Centre. Wara l-quddiesa, fil-bit˙a ta’ l-Oratorju, ©ie organizzat BBQ sabiex jin©abru fondi b’risq il-musical ‘7even – A Dance Extravaganza’ li sejjer jittella’ mill-Atturi Salesjani bis-sehem ta’ ˙afna miΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ preΩenti. Fost dawk li kienu hemm g˙al dan il-BBQ wie˙ed seta’ jara bosta voluntiera u ˙bieb tas-Salesjani, fosthom is-Sindku l-©dida ta’ Tas-Sliema, Dr. Joanna Gonzi. Bil-g˙ajnuna ta’ bosta dan l-avveniment kien suççess kbir. Prosit!

DREAM, DARE AND DO Din kienet it-tema li ntg˙aΩlet g˙all-weekend annwali ta’ li SPYS (Salesian Pastoral Youth Service) li ©ie ççelebrat nhar is-17, 18 u 19 ta’ Settembru. Nhar il-Ìimg˙a bil-lejl, ta˙t sema mimli kwiekeb, fil-˙emda tar-Ramla, il-membri kellhom ˙in jirriflettu fuq il-˙olm tag˙hom g˙al SPYS. L-imma©inazzjoni tag˙hom g˙enithom jissu©©erixxu sa fejn jistg˙u jaslu u jag˙mlu g˙al SPYS. Hekk, imbag˙ad, l-g˙ada s-Sibt, huma tkellmu fuq x’kellhom il-˙ila jag˙mlu bil-fatti li kieku verament setg˙u. U fl-a˙˙ar jum kull persuna presenti giet ‘challenged’ turi kif ser twettaq il-˙olm fir-realtà. Tlitt proposti ntg˙aΩlu u ©ew studjati g˙as-sena li ©ejja, bi pjanijiet konkreti ta’ kif dan seta’ jsir. Dan il-weekend qajjem entuΩjaΩmu fil-membri sabiex i˙arsu ‘l quddiem b’˙e©©a ©dida g˙as-sena li ©ejja.

22 Hajja Salesjana

One day I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them

into our rusty Chevy 51 and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck. The kids stayed crammed in the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck. The last place we went to was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called

God does answer our prayersA CHRISTMAS STORY

My boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tyres crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries. Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.

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hanging around and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. When it was time for me to go home at seven o’clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver’s side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was a whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was a whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December of 1958. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop...

the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the night shift. She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.

I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meagre wage.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tyres in the back seat. New tyres! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tyres. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered. I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tyres, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tyres.

I was working six nights instead of five and it still wasn’t enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys’ pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.

On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.

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MELBOURNE: 29 August 2010 -- Saturday, 28 August, was a significant day for Martin Tanti SDB, and the Australia-Pacific Province. After a long journey, Martin was ordained to the Priesthood by his former Rector during his years of formation, Bishop Tim Costelloe SDB, in the Salesian Parish of St Margaret Mary’s, North Brunswick. The Church was packed with Salesians, Salesian Sisters, friends and relatives from all over Australia. The presence of such a large crowd was palpable evidence of the regard and affection so many people have for Martin. Martin’s family is of Maltese background, but they grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. It was there that the Tanti family first knew the Salesians. Martin did his secondary schooling at Salesian College “Rupertswood,” Sunbury, Victoria. Soon after finishing his secondary schooling, Martin began a long Salesian journey. At every stage of his formation he was seen as a generous and warm young Salesian, with much to offer and receive from young people. Martin eventually

qualified as a teacher, and returned to his theological studies. These were the first years of the formation community at Clifton Hill. Yesterday, at the ordination, there was a memorable gathering of Salesians from that period: Bishop Costelloe, Fr Frank Freeman and Fr Michael Ledda, members of the formation team at the time. Eventually Martin finished his theological studies, and asked for more time with young people before taking the step into Diaconate and Priesthood. In recent years he has directed the Youth Club at Don Bosco, Brunswick, and has been the Director of the Retreat Centre at Auxilium College, Lysterfield. These were wonderful years for Martin, as he settled into Salesian ministries, and become closer to the Lord, Don Bosco and the many Salesians of this Province who have come to love and esteem him. Bishop Costelloe spoke beautifully of Don Bosco’s use of the biblical image of the Good Shepherd, and the importance of that symbol for the Salesian life. It associates the Salesian and the Salesian priestly life intimately

Long and rewarding journey of God’s love:Fr Martin Tanti sdb

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with the Paschal Mystery. It is in Eucharistic self-gift that Priesthood shows the goodness and the love of God. Fr Martin gave a heartfelt speech of thanks at the end of the Mass, and the large attendance at the Ordination retired to the Parish Hall for a wonderful evening supper where many friends from all parts of Australia rejoiced in one another’s presence, and in the gift to the Church and the Province of Fr Martin Tanti SDB. The Australia-Pacific Province beseeches the Lord for many more vocations, so that Don Bosco’s charismatic form of life will remain alive and well in this geographically most distant (from where it all started), and largest Salesian Province in the world.

AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact: admin@bosconet.aust.com Use

Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org

Three things in life that once gone, never come back:Time, Words and Opportunity.

Three things in life that one should always have:Hope, Peace, Honesty.

Three things in life that are most valuable:Love, Friends, Self-Confidence.

Three things in life that are never certain:Success, Dreams, Fortune.

Three things in life that make a good person:Sincerity, Hard Work, Compassion.

Three things in life that can destroy a person:Pride, Greed, Anger.

Three things in life that are truly constant:Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

A Happy Festive Season to All

Three Things

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«Min ma jiftakarx fin-nanniet tieg˙u? Min jista’ jinsa sehemhom f’˙ajtu jew fil-˙ajja tal-familja tieg˙u? Hemm ˙afna minna li msemmijin g˙an-nanniet, b˙ala sinjal ta’ tnissil u ta’ rikonoxxenza! G˙alina g˙exu ˙ajjithom u g˙amlu sagrifiççji, forsi anke ˙allew ˙ajjithom. G˙adha drawwa fostna li niftakru lin-nanniet bil-quddies li noffru g˙alihom fl-annivarsarju ta’ mewthom, u xi mindaqqiet bi Ωjara fuq il-qabar ukoll. Dawn u ©esti o˙ra ta’ m˙abba u ta’ fidi juru l-gratitudni tag˙na lejhom. »

Dan huwa kliem mimli g˙oΩΩa li l-Papa Benedittu XVI qal waqt laqg˙a dwar il-familja nisranija. Diskors s˙i˙ iddedikat mill-Papa g˙al dan is-su©©ett daqsxejn mhux tas-soltu. “In-nanniet,” kompla jg˙id, “huma teΩor li minnu ma nistg˙ux in˙aΩΩdu lil uliedna w ‘l-ulied uliedna, speçjalment meta huma jag˙tu xhieda tal-fidi b’˙ajjithom.”

IR-RWOL TAN-NANNIET FIL-KNISJABenedittu XVI kompla tkellem hekk, “Meta niftakru fin-nanniet, fix-xhieda tag˙hom ta’ m˙abba u fedeltà fil-˙ajja, ji©una f’mo˙˙na l- persuna©©i tal-Bibbja b˙alma huma Abra˙am u Sara, EliΩabetta u Ûakkarija, Anna u Ìwakkin, kif ukoll dawk ix-xju˙ tat-tempju, Xmun u Anna, u Nikodemu. Dawn kollha jfakkruna li ‘l-Mulej jitlob il-˙iliet tal-bnedmin f’kull età.

Il-Knisja wkoll, “Minn dejjem kellha attenzjoni partikulari lejn in-nanniet, kull meta g˙arfet fihom il-©id kbir uman u soçjali, reli©juΩ u spiritwali li jippossedu”.

Il-Papa, imbag˙ad, fuq ir-rwol tan-nanniet xe˙et, “˙arsa li kapaçi tifhem l-img˙oddi, il-preΩent u l-©ejjieni”, u mieg˙u a˙na sejrin nanalizzaw fil-qosor dawn il-waqtiet.

L-IMGÓODDI TAN-NANNIET Nibdew billi ng˙idu li jekk immorru lura sew lejn Ωmien l-img˙oddi, nsibu li ma kinux jeΩistu nanniet. Ma kinux hemm g˙aliex il-˙ajja kienet tant qasira li kienu jmutu qabel ma jsiru nanniet. Skond çerti studji, in-nanniet bdew jeΩistu madwar 40,000 sena ilu.

Wara dan il-perijodu, il-mo˙˙ tal-bniedem Ωviluppa aktar (Homo Sapiens) u tejjeb il-kundizzjoni tal-˙ajja. B’hekk sar jg˙ix aktar fit-tul. Insibu ©enituri f’sa˙˙ithom biΩΩejjed sabiex jg˙inu lil uliedhom iwelldu t-trabi tag˙hom. B’hekk bdew in-nanniet u n-neputijiet, bil-vanta©© li dawn in-neputijiet kellhom il-privile©© li jkunu mrobbija a˙jar, jikbru ‘mg˙allma’ u jkunu aktar f’sa˙˙ithom, fuq tag˙hom u kapaçi.

Fid-diskors tieg˙u il-Papa ma marx lura daqshekk fiΩ-Ωmien; beda minn meta n-nanniet

Enzo Bianco/Joe Cini

Hemm kriΩi fil-familja u fis-soçjetà; imma n-nanniet jistg˙u jkunu risposta valida ˙afna g˙aliha “permezz tal-mod qawwi u matur li bih

huma j˙addnu l-valuri.” Din hija l-fehma tal-Papa Benedittu XVI

27Hajja Salesjana

bdew ikollhom mhux biss neputijiet imma wkoll it-tfal ta’ dawn. « Fl-img˙oddi n-nanniet kellhom rwol importanti fil-˙ajja u t-trobbija tal-familja. Anke f’età avvanzata kienu dejjem preΩenti ma’ wliedhom, man-neputijiet u forsi anke ma’ wlied in-neputijiet; dejjem ˙erqana, lesti g˙as-sagrifiççju u g˙al kull ma ©©ib mag˙ha l-˙ajja ta’ kuljum. Kienu xhieda ta’ storja personali u tal-komunità li kienet tibqa’ tg˙ix fil-memorji u fl-g˙erf tag˙hom ».

IN-NANNIET ILLUMSa nofs is-seklu li g˙adda, in-nanniet kienu ftit, kienu jsarrfu ftit u ma kinux jg˙ixu ˙afna. Kienu jg˙ixu fil-©enb tal-˙ajja. Illum in-nanniet dejjem jiΩdiedu u ˙afna jsiru buΩnanniet. Jg˙inu biex tissa˙˙a˙ l-im˙abba fil-familja u bosta drabi wkoll l-ekonomija tal-familja. I˙ossuhom me˙tie©a.

«Li tkun nannu jew nanna » - jikteb Anselmo Bocci – «jfisser li wasalt g˙at-tielet edizzjoni tal-istorja ta’ ˙ajtek! » I˙ossuhom aççettati, speçjalment miΩ-Ωg˙ar tal-familja. Jikteb is-soçjologu Lewis Mumfred, “Kull ©enerazzjoni tirvella kontra l-©enituri, u tag˙mel ˙bieb man-nanniet.”

Imma l-Papa jfakkar li llum, il-mixja fl-ekonimija u fil-˙ajja soçjali ©iebu mag˙hom bidla mill-g˙eruq fil-familja. Hu tkellem fuq Ωew© bidliet negattivi u perikuluΩi meta qal, “L-anzjani, u fosthom ˙afna nanniet, sabu ru˙hom qishom f’parking area: xi w˙ud saru piΩ fil-familja u jippreferu jg˙ixu wa˙edhom jew f’xi dar tax-xju˙ bil-konsegwenzi kollha li dan i©ib. Il-bidla l-o˙ra, g˙ar minn din, hija li da˙let fost ˙afna il-

‘kultura tal-mewt’. B’çerta insistenza hemm min qieg˙ed jipproponi l-ewtanasija sabiex ‘isolvi’ xi sitwazzjoni daqsxejn diffiçli…”

U N-NANNIET TA’ GÓADA?Ser ikollna aktar nanniet li jkunu aktar fuq tag˙hom ; dejjem aktar teΩori ta’ esperjenza u ta’ umanità, li jg˙ixu aktar fit-tul. Il-Papa jistaqsi, “Quddiem il-kriΩi tal-familja, ma nistg˙ux forsi, insibu soluzzjoni proprju minn g˙and dawk in-nanniet li juru aktar qawwa fil-valuri ? » Hemm bΩonn mela li ng˙oΩΩuhom, g˙aliex « Jekk in-nanniet qed juru li huma ta’ g˙ajnuna prezzjuΩa, jaqbel li nuΩawhom mill-a˙jar li nistg˙u. » U g˙alhekk jissu©©erixxi li, « Qatt, g˙all-ebda ra©uni, ma nwarrbu lin-nanniet mill-qalba tal-familja. »

« Óalli jer©g˙u jkunu n-nanniet, preΩenza ˙ajja fil-familja, fil-knisja u fis-soçjetà…xhieda ta’ g˙aqda u ta’ valuri msejsa fuq im˙abba fil-˙ajja taΩ-Ωwie©, fuq fidi s˙i˙a u fuq il-fer˙ tal-˙ajja. »

28 Hajja Salesjana

Kull min huwa mid˙la tad-Djarju li kienet kitbet Santa Fawstina, fuq sebg˙in (70) sena ilu, fejn Ìesù stess kien sej˙ilha s-Segretarja tal-Óniena Divina, insibu li kellha diversi dehriet mhux biss ta’ Ìesù, iΩda ta’ diversi qaddisin u an©li, u sa˙ansitra tal-istess xitan. Ma’ dawn id-dehriet wie˙ed irid isemmi li kellha ˙afna viΩjonijiet tal-Madonna.

F’wa˙da minn dawn id-dehriet li Santa Fawstina kellha, il-Madonna dehritilha b˙ala Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti. Fid-djarju bil-verΩjoni bil-Malti, f’pa©na 588, par:1585, wie˙ed jista’ jaqra r-rakkont ta’ din il-viΩjoni ta’ Omm Alla.

DEHRA TA’ OMM ALLAF’nofs dija kbira, rajt lil Omm Alla liebsa libsa bajda, imdawra b’çinturin tad-deheb; u kien hemm kwiekeb Ωg˙ar, tad-deheb ukoll, fuq il-libsa koll-ha, bi kmiem forma ta’ V maqluba, infurrati bid-deheb. Il-mantell tag˙ha kien ik˙al kulur is-sema, mitfug˙ ˙afif fuq l-ispallejn. Velu trasparenti kien

qed jg˙attilha rasha ˙afif ˙afif, filwaqt li xag˙arha twil kien imΩejjen b’kuruna tad-deheb fuqu li kienet tispiçça fi slaleb Ωg˙ar. Fuq ix-xellug kienet qieg˙da ΩΩomm il-Bambin Ìesù f’dirg˙ajha. Kont g˙adni qatt ma rajt ‘il-Ver©ni mbierka f’din is-sura. Imbag˙ad hi ˙arset lejja u qaltli : Jiena Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti. Ma’ dan il-kliem hija niΩΩlet lil Ìesù fl-art minn fuq dirg˙ajha, g˙olliet idha l-leminija lejn is-sema u qalet: “O Alla…bierek lis-saçerdoti”. Imbag˙ad re©g˙et kellmitni g˙al darb’o˙ra: “G˙id lis-saçerdoti dak li inti rajt.”

Il-Madonna g˙andha ˙afna titli sbie˙ speçjalment fil-litanija tar-RuΩarju, kif ukoll diversi statwi u xbihat. IΩda kif iddiskrivietha Santa Fawstina, la fil-Polonja fejn hemm is-santwarju tal-Óniena Divina, l-anqas fi Stockbridge, Massachussets, fl-Amerika g˙and il-Marian

Omm Alla(MEÓUD U ADATTAT MILL-‘APPOSTOLAT TAL-ÓNIENA DIVINA’)

Fis-16 ta’ Marzu 2009, il-Papa Benedittu XVI nieda sena ddedikata

g˙as-saçerdoti mid-19 ta’ Ìunju 2009 sad-11 ta’ Ìunju 2010 fl-okkaΩjoni tal-150 sena mid-d˙ul fil-glorja tal-

©enna tal-Kurat ta’ Ars, San Ìwann Marija Vianney (1786-1859), li issa

m’g˙adux biss il-qaddis protettur tal-kappillani iΩda wkoll tas-saçerdoti.

tas-Saçerdoti

29Hajja Salesjana

Fathers li qed ixerrdu din id-devozzjoni, ma hemm din ix-xbiha ta’ ‘Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti’.

Na˙seb li l-Madonna tixtieq li tkun mag˙rufa b’dan it-titlu ferm sabi˙ b˙ala Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti. Tkun ˙a©a sabi˙a li anke s-saçerdoti jkunu konxji li Omm Alla hija Ommhom wkoll, b˙alma Marija hija Omm is-Saçerdot il-Kbir, Binha u ˙una Ìesù.

PITTURA TAL-MADONNAFl-inawgurazzjoni tas-Sena Saçerdotali il-Papa ried jafda f’idejn il-Ver©ni Mqaddsa il-qalb ta’ kull saçerdot sabiex jitqanqal fih impenn ©did u ©eneruΩ g˙al dak l-ideal ta’ offerta totali lil Kristu u lill-Knisja, li kien jispira l-˙sieb u l-˙idma tal-Kurat qaddis ta’ Ars. Huwa spiçça d-diskors bl-invokazzjoni sabi˙a ta’ “Marija, Omm is-saçerdoti, itlob g˙alina”.

“G˙alhekk ˙adt ˙sieb biex nordna pittura li kemm jista’ jkun, tkun kif ratha u iddeskrivietha fid-Djarju tag˙ha Santa Fawstina. Naraw li fil-Litanija tal-Madonna hemm 50 titlu sabi˙ mog˙ti bil-©ie˙ lill-Omm tag˙na tas-sema. Tkun ˙a©a xierqa li l-Ver©ni Marija tkun msej˙a wkoll b’dan it-titlu li hija stess uriet ix-xewqa tag˙ha lil Santa Fawstina.’’

Kif wie˙ed jinnota, il-Madonna g˙andha kuruna tad-deheb fejn fuq jispiççaw bi slaleb Ωg˙ar. Peress li Santa Fawstina ma kitbitx kemm il-salib kien fiha din il-kuruna, jiena g˙aΩilt li nag˙mel tnax-il salib biex niftakru fit-tnax il-kewkba li kellha madwar rasha eΩattament kif insibu fil-ktieb tar-Rivelazzjoni, 12 :1, ‘u kuruna ta’ tnax-il kewkba fuq rasha.’’

B’idejha x-xellugija qieg˙da ΩΩomm ‘il Binha Ìesù, tfajjel ta’ madwar sena sentejn g˙aliex insibu li niΩΩlitu fl-art biex jimxi; filwaqt li b’idejha tal-lemin qieg˙da tag˙mel sinjal billi tmiss sidirha biex tikkonferma li hija Omm Alla, kif ukoll qieg˙da tipponta b’sebag˙ha l-werrej lejn Binha Ìesù

s-Saçerdot il-Kbir, g˙aliex Hija Ommu, u g˙alhekk Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti.

OMM IL-ÓNIENAB˙alma Ìesù, fil-Óniena Divina Tieg˙u, jerfag˙na fuq spallejh b’mod speçjali fid-diffikultajiet u s-slaleb tal-˙ajja tag˙na, “Ejjew g˙andi, intom ilkoll li tinsabu m˙abbtin u mtaqqlin, u jiena nserra˙kom.” (Mattew 11:28). Hekk ukoll tag˙mel Ommna Marija Santissima, Omm Alla tas-Saçerdoti, li ©©orrna fi ˙danha b˙al ma Ωaret is-Saçerdot Etern, biex twennisna, t˙arisna u tipprote©ina ta˙t il-mantell ka˙lani tag˙ha fil-˙ajja saçerdotali u tag˙na lkoll. Fid-Djarju ta’ Santa Fawstina pa©na 153, par: 330 nsibu viΩjoni o˙ra tal-Madonna fejn qalet: “Jiena mhux biss is-Sultana tas-Sema, imma wkoll Omm il-Óniena u Ommok.” U f’dak il-waqt ˙ar©et idha l-leminija, fejn kienet qieg˙da ΩΩomm il-mantell tag˙ha u g˙attiet is-saçerdot bih.”

Kif kien i˙obb jg˙idilna l-mibki iΩda qatt minsi, id-Direttur Spiritwali meta konna fis-seminarju, it-twajjeb Dun Mikiel Attard, “Kollox isir fil-mument tal-grazzja.” G˙alhekk nissogra ng˙id, tg˙id wara sebg˙in sena wasal iΩ-Ωmien jew il-mument tal-grazzja biex l-awtoritajiet ekleΩjastiçi jikkuntentaw lill-Ver©ni Marija Santissima, biex tkun ukoll ipproklamata fost titli o˙ra sbie˙ li g˙andha b˙ala ‘Omm tas-Saçerdoti’?

Din il-pittura tinsab fil-kappella Ωg˙ira ddedikata lill-Óniena Divina fin-Nadur, G˙awdex. Hija xog˙ol tal-pittur Ωag˙Ωug˙ Adonai Camilleri Cauchi, min-Nadur ukoll. Ìew stampati fuljetti bil-kulur li barra li fihom hemm il-pittura tal-Madonna Omm tas-Saçerdoti u ta’ Ìesù tal-Óniena Divina, hemm it-talba sabi˙a li kiteb it-twajjeb Mons. Salv Grima li tkun ˙a©a tajba jekk is-saçerdoti jg˙iduha kuljum b˙ala ringrazzjament wara t-tqarbin flimkien mal-insara l-o˙ra; insibu wkoll talba sabi˙a g˙as-saçerdoti miktuba mill-qaddisa nnifisha Santa Fawstina u talba o˙ra.

Fr. Dominic Camilleri

30 Hajja Salesjana

Dun Boscofis-santi u kartolini

minn Renè Sacco

Nota: Qed nag˙mlu appell biex min ikun irid jibg˙at xi kumment jew iΩid xi ˙a©a ma’ dak li qieg˙ed jidher f’din is-sensiela, ma joqg˙odx lura iΩda jikkuntattja lil Fr.Joe Cini (joecini@onvol.net) jew lil Rene’ Sacco (rene.sacco@gmail.com). Nirringrazzjawkom bil-quddiem.

il-Óames parti

Sa mill-bidu nett tal-opra Salesjana, Dun Bosco kien emmen fl-importanza tax-xog˙ol b˙ala mezz li bih iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ jiΩviluppaw il-personalità u d-dinjità tag˙hom b˙ala bnedmin. Ix-xog˙ol huwa parti mill-identità tal-bniedem, g˙ax permezz ta’ dak li jaf jag˙mel (barra il-karatteristiçi fisiΩi) l-individwu jiddentifika lilu nnifsu mill-o˙rajn. Ix-xog˙ol imwettaq, ikun xi jkun, jag˙mel lill-bniedem ta’ ˙tie©a g˙all-kumplament tas-soçjetà u g˙alhekk jag˙ti lill-istess bniedem sens ta’ utilità u kburija. L-oppost ta’ dan narawh f’dawk li g˙al xi ra©uni jew o˙ra jitilfu x-xog˙ol jew l-impjieg tag˙hom. Dawn spiss jispiççaw f’dipressjoni u diffikultajiet o˙ra serji. Sintendi dan ma jg˙oddx g˙al dawk li l-g˙aΩΩ huwa parti mill-©enetika strutturali tag˙hom.

G˙alhekk barra mill-formazzjoni reli©juΩa u spiritwali, Dun Bosco ˙aseb biex jag˙ti liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li kellu ta˙t idejh, edukazzjoni tajba u tag˙lim ta’ xi seng˙a li biha dawn iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ setg˙u i˙arsu lejn il-futur b’kura©© u b’fiduçja fihom infushom.

It-tlitt santi li se naraw f’din il-˙ames parti tas-sensiela, jittrattaw proprju fuq dan is-su©©ett, ji©ifieri ix-xog˙ol. Diversi artisti li pin©ew imma©ni ta’ Dun Bosco g˙aΩlu li juru lill-Qaddis imdawwar biΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li jidhru qed iΩommu diversi g˙odod u affarijiet o˙ra konnessi mal-edukazzjoni u x-xog˙ol.

Billi fuq dan is-su©©ett g˙andna diversi santi fil-kollezzjoni, hemm çans li anke id-darba li ©ejja naraw santi o˙ra bl-istess tema.

Appell: Nixtieq nie˙u din l-opportunità biex nistieden lil min g˙andu xi santi ta’ Dun Bosco li jista’ jiddisponi minnhom biex jg˙addihomli ˙alli titkompla tikber il-kollezzjoni. Il-kollezzjoni tinkludi ukoll lil S. Fran©isk ta’ Sales, S. Domenico Savio, Maria AwΩiljatriçi, u l-erwie˙ tajba

kollha Salesjani. Ni©bor ukoll domni, bolli, midalji u materjal ie˙or b’konnessjoni ma’ Dun Bosco jew is-Salesjani. Grazzi bil-quddiem.

31Hajja Salesjana

L-ewwel santa li g˙andna din id-darba hi ta’ ori©ini Bel©jana, preçiΩament ippubblikata mill-provinçjal tad-Dar Salesjana f’Woluwe-lez-Bruxelles. Fuq wara nsibu novena lill-Marija G˙ajnuna tal-Insara. Hemm ukoll konçessjoni ta’ 400 ©urnata indul©enza g˙as-Salesjani u l-koperaturi tag˙hom, mitluba minn Dun Rinaldi (it-tielet suççessur ta’ Dun Bosco) u konçessa mill-Papa Piju XI waqt udjenza li kellhom nhar is-6 ta’ Ìunju 1922.

F’din is-santa li g˙andha qies ta’ 7.0 x 12.0`m, Dun Bosco jid˙er imdawwar bi grupp ta’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ u tfal ta’ nazzjonijiet differenti, iΩda li ˙afna minnhom jidhru qeg˙din iΩommu xi simh˙er qed iΩomm biçça g˙odda tar-raba’ li qisu qed juΩa b˙ala standard biex imexxi Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ warajh. Il-kliem li hemm in-na˙a ta’ fuq tas-santa jffiser bejn wie˙ed u ie˙or “Óudhom ta˙t il-gwida tieg˙ek (il-bastun ta’ rag˙aj) u mexxihom”. Interessanti hija d-dehra tas-salib li l-artist inkluda fl-isfond. Jista’ jkun tfisser is-slaleb u t-taqbid tal-˙ajja li kul˙add jrid jiffaççja.

Il-kwadru riprodott fis-santa tpin©a fl-1929 u j©ib firma li qisha V.FALON. Sfortunatament, g˙adni ma ltqajtx ma’ xi informazzjoni dwar dan l-artist. G˙alkemm din is-santa hija stampata ‘monochrome’ bl-iswed, wie˙ed g˙andu jassumi li l-kwadru originali huwa bil-kulur.

It-tieni santa li g˙andna, ©ejja mill-Olanda u fil-fatt hija ppubblika-ta mil-‘Missieprocur Don Bosco’ li tinsab fi Jan Van Nassaustraat 34, Den haag. Is-santa hija kopirajt tad-ditta Kunst Adelt ta’ Maas-tricht. F’din is-santa, b˙al ta’ qabilha, Dun Bosco jidher mdawwar biΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li jag˙tuk l-impressjoni li g˙adhom kemm ©ew lura mix-xog˙ol jew l-iskola u daru ma’ Dun Bosco biex jisimg˙u dik il-kelma ta’ ©id u inkora©©iment. Fuq wara tas-santa hemm talba bil-lingwa OlandiΩa lil-Dun Bosco g˙al xi grazzja. Ma’ din it-talba hemm ukoll 200 ©urnata indulgenza konçessa mill-Kardinal Mau-rilio Fossati, arçisqof ta’ Turin. L-artist, li ma hemmx indikazzjoni min kien, g˙aΩel li jpo©©i l-grupp ta’ persuna©©i f’ambjent ta’ belt u fl-isfond tidher dik li x’aktarx hija l-BaΩilka ta’ Maria G˙ajnuna tal-Insara ta’ Turin. Is-santa g˙andha qies ta’ 7.0 x11.0 `m.

32 Hajja Salesjana

It-tielet stampa. G˙al din id-darba m’g˙andniex santa fil-veru sens tal-kelma, iΩda imma©ni minn dawk li fost il-kollezjonisti jissej˙u ‘picture cards’ jew ‘trade cards’ li bit-Taljan jg˙idulhom ‘figurine’ u bil-Malti nirreferu g˙alihom b˙ala kupuni. Din li qeg˙din naraw hi wa˙da minn sett ta’ sitta dedikat lill-opra ta’ Dun Bosco, u turi Ωg˙aΩag˙ qed ja˙dmu u jit˙arr©u fis-seng˙a tal-˙jata.

Interresanti ˙afna hi l-istorja ta’ l-ori©ini ta’ dawn il-kupuni. Madwar is-sena 1872, il-Baruni Justus Von Liebig li kien xjenzjat u riçerkatur, introduça metodu pubbliçitarju innovattiv g˙al prodotti tieg˙u li fosthom kien hemm estratt tal-la˙am li kien suppliment nutrittiv popolari ˙afna fost il-parti l-fqira tas-soçjetà li ma setg˙etx tixtri il-la˙am. Dan l-estratt kien jing˙ata ukoll lis-suldati u avventuriri fuq vja©©i twal. Von Liebig ˙aseb biex mal-prodotti tieg˙u jippubblika settijiet ta’ kupuni li wara li ji©©emg˙u setg˙u jitbiddlu ma’ affarijiet o˙ra, mezz ta’ riklamar li g˙adu jintuΩa’ sal-lum. Dawn is-settijiet, li kienu ta’ sitta, tnax, jew tmintax-il kupun kienu ta’ kwalita’ tipografika eççezzjonali u it-temi trattati jkopru dak kollu ta˙t il-kappa tax-xemx. Fost is-su©©etti hemm il-˙ajja ta’ persuna©©i li ̇ allew marka u effett fuq is-soçjetà, u ma setax jonqos li Dun Bosco jkun inkluΩ fost dawn. Su©©etti o˙ra jinkludu natura, xjenΩa, muΩika, ©ografija, storja, reli©jon, etç., etç. Dan is-sett dedikat lill-opra Salesjana jindika, permezz ta’ diversi stampi o˙ra, f’hiex tikkonsisti din l-opra. Jissemmew l-oratorji festivi, skejjel u orfanatrofji, kulle©©i, skejjell u kolonji agrarji, skejjel tas-snajja’ u l-missjonijiet.

Dawn is-settijiet mag˙rufa llum b˙ala ‘Liebig cards’ huma ta’ pre©ju kbir g˙all-kollezjonisti. Dawk tal-bidu kien ikollhom dekorazzjonijiet artistiçi bi stil ‘Liberty’ mal-istampi minn artisti ta’ fama.

Il-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dawn is-settijiet waqfu fl-1972. F’dawk il-mitt sena ©ew ippubblikati 1900 serje. Dik dwar Dun Bosco ©©ib in-numru 1461 u ©iet stampata fis-sena1947.

Nie˙du din l-opportunita biex fil-waqt li n©eddu l-appelli li g˙amilna fil-˙ar©iet ta’ qabel, insellu g˙all-qarrejja kollha ta’ din ir-riviΩta, u nixtiequlhom il-festi t-tajba.

L-a˙˙ar donazzjoni ta’ Ωewg santi g˙all-kollezzjoni ©iet ming˙and Rev Sr. Georgina Grech tal-komunità Salesjana tas-Sorijiet f’G˙awdex.

33Hajja Salesjana

Din l-istess xorti messet ukoll lill-Fathers Salesjani kollha f’Malta, kif ukoll liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ novizzi u aspiranti, proprju dakinhar stess filg˙axija meta lkoll iltaqg˙u mieg˙u g˙at-talb fil-knisja ta’ St. Patrick. Wara dan, in©barna lkoll flimkien g˙all-ikla ta’ filg˙axija. Fl-a˙˙ar tal-ikla, ir-Rettur Ma©©ur kellem lil dawk mi©bura u qalilhom, li skond hu, dan huwa Ω-Ωmien meta l-˙ajja reli©juΩa g˙andha turi ru˙ha qawwija u ta’ eΩempju lid-dinja. Proprju g˙aliex hawn kriΩi ta’ valuri, issa l-waqt li a˙na, b˙ala reli©juΩi, ng˙ixu l-valuri nsara u nkunu dawl g˙ad-dinja. Hekk intemmet din l-g˙axija li fiha spikkaw ˙afna l-fer˙ u s-serenità.

IΩ-Ωjara ta’ Dun Chavez hija Ωjara kanonika: dover li jsir kull 6 snin, jew minnu jew minn xi wie˙ed mis-Superjuri Ma©©uri li ji©i f’ismu. L-g˙an

ta’ Ωjara b˙al din huwa li s-Superjur jiltaqa’ mas-Salesjani sabiex janimahom, iqawwihom u jg˙inhom jirb˙u xi diffikultajiet. Mag˙hom ukoll jittie˙du xi deçiΩjonijiet sabiex ix-xog˙ol tal-komunità jimxi g˙all-a˙jar.

Wara l-ewwel tlitt ijiem ©o St. Patrick, ir-Rettur Ma©©ur tela’ Óad-Dingli, f’Savio College sabiex jiltaqa’ mal-konfratelli ta’ dik id-dar. Dun Chavez seta’ jara u jiltaqa’ ma’ ˙afna mill-istudenti u ©enituri tag˙hom hemmhekk, nhar il-Óadd filg˙axija, waqt il-quddiesa speçjali g˙all-Familja Salesjana, li g˙aliha attendew ukoll Koperaturi, Past Pupils, Óbieb tas-Salesjani, ©enituri u Ωg˙aΩag˙ minn kull qasam tax-xog˙ol Salesjan. Kienet esperjenza mimlija entuΩjaΩmu li kebbset il-qlub ta’ kull min kien hemm.

Nhar il-Óamis 2 ta’ Settembru, ftit ˙in biss wara li Dun Pascual Chavez Villanueva kien wasal Malta u mar direttament f’St. Patrick, Tas-Sliema, il-komunità ta’ din id-dar kella x-xorti tiekol fil-kwiet mar-Rettur Ma©©ur, titkellem mieg˙u u tisma a˙barijiet mid-dinja Salesjana.

IΩ-Ûjara tar-Rettur Ma©©ur

minn Joe Cini sdb

34 Hajja Salesjana

Nhar it-Tlieta 7 ta’ Settembru, dejjem ©ewwa Savio College, kien hemm okkaΩjoni o˙ra ta’ fer˙ g˙alina s-Salesjani. Din kienet il-professjoni temporanja ta’ Bro. Robert Vella u Bro. Kenneth Micallef li kienet iççelebrata minn Dun Chavez. Ma hemmx g˙alfejn ng˙idu li din ukoll serviet sabiex turi kemm hija mimlija bil-˙ajja Ωag˙Ωug˙a, il-Familja Salesjana.

Minn Óad-Dingli, ir-Rettur Ma©©ur re©a’ niΩel lejn tas-Sliema u waqaf jiekol xi ˙a©a maΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li hemm fl-‘Osanna Pia Salesian Home’ u jara x-xog˙ol ©ewwa dik id-dar. Flimkien ma’ Fr. Savio Vella li jmexxi dan il-‘hostel’, kien hemm il-Fathers mill-Oratorju ta’ Tas-Sliema: issa kien imiss lilhom li jilqg˙u lil-Fr. Chavez. Matul it-3 ijiem li g˙adda fil-Komunità ta’ St. Alphonsus, ir-Rettur Ma©©ur kellu ç-çans ja˙rab sa l-Isla sabiex igawdi xi ftit il-festa ta’ Marija Bambina. Sab il-˙in ukoll biex iΩur u jitkellem mal-˙addiema tas-‘Salesian Press’ f’St. Patrick’s, Tas-Sliema.

Nhar il-Óamis filg˙axija u l-Ìimg]a filg˙odu kien imiss il-viΩita kanonika tal-komunità ‘San Filippu’ ta’ l-Isla. Hemmhekk, barra milli ltaqa’ ma’ l- erba’ Salesjani li jiffurmaw dik il-komunità, huwa qaddes il-Quddiesa tal-˙in u hekk seta’ jkellem lin-nies li ssoltu jattendu hemm. Dun Chavez apprezza ˙afna x-xog˙ol pastorali li qieg˙ed isir hemmhekk u l-fatt ta’ kemm hi spiritwalment siewja il-preΩenza Salesjana f’dawk in-na˙iet ta’ Malta.

Wara l-ikla ta’ nofsinhar, Dun Chavez sellem lill-konfratelli u ©ie me˙ud g˙al darb’o˙ra tas-Sliema. Hawnhekk, filg˙axija, saret çelebrazzjoni ˙elwa wisq. IΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ tal- Youth Centre flimkien mat-tfal, ©enituri u membri tal-Oratorju, in©abru fil-kappella sabiex, flimkien ma’ Dun Chavez u madwar Ìesù fl-Ewkaristija, jag˙mlu adorazzjoni u jitolbu g˙all-vokazzjonijiet. L-artal imΩejjen bil-fjuri, il-kant sabi˙ u l-©abra fit-talb impressjonaw lil kull min kien hemm. J’Alla Ìesù jisma’ dan it-talb u jqajjem vokazzjonijiet fis-Soçjetà Salesjana

minn fost iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ tag˙na. Hekku mela li nhar is-Sibt 11 ta’ Settembru wasal

l-a˙˙ar jum ta’ din il-viΩita kanonika. Imma kien baqa’ xi ftit attivitajiet xi jsiru, u kollha importanti. Filg˙odu ir-Rettur Ma©©ur iltaqa’ ma’ Fr. Paul Formosa, li huwa s-Superjur Delegat tas-Salesjani hawn Malta u mal-Kunsill tad-Delegazzjoni. Huma tkellmu fuq is-sitwazzjoni li fiha tinsab il-Familja Salesjana f’Malta u fuq xi pro©etti li qieg˙din ji©u studjati sabiex jitwettqu. Imbag˙ad filg˙axija, Dun Chavez re©a’ mexxa konçelebrazzjoni mal-˙afna Fathers Salesjani li matulha saret il-professjoni g˙al dejjem ta’ Bro. Clive Mifsud. Din saret ©ol-knisja parrokkjali ta’ BirΩebbu©a, fis-6.30 ta’ filg˙axija, quddiem folla nies li mliet il-knisja. Wara din iç-çerimonja, kien hemm trattament fejn ˙afna setg˙u jiltaqg˙u mar-Rettur Ma©©ur, jie˙du ritratti mieg˙u waqt li hu kien qeg˙ed josserva l-entuΩjaΩmu u l-fer˙ tag˙hom.

Hekk intemmet din il-viΩita kanonika li Dun Chavez g˙o©bu jag˙mel lis-Salesjani u lill-Familja Salesjana f’Malta. Kien privile©© kbir g˙alina li ©ie huwa nnifsu meta ssoltu jkun xi superjur ie˙or li ji©i f’ismu. A˙na grati ta’ dan il-privile©© li ng˙atalna u qalbna issa t˙abbat b’akbar im˙abba lejn Dun Bosco u l-messa©© tieg˙u, « Ag˙tini l-erwie˙ u ˙udli kull ma jibqa’. »

Iva, nixtieq ng˙in lis-Salesjani. Se nibg˙at

q5 q10 q25 q50

kull xahar kull tliet xhur kull sena

b˙ala g˙ajnuna g˙all-missjoni tag˙kom. Naf li din ma tqieg˙ed l-ebda obbligazzjoni fuqi u li nistà nwaqqaf il-kontribuzzjoni tieg˙i meta rrid.

Isem

Indirizz

Int tistà tg˙inna. Meta qed tag˙mel hekk, int tkun qed tie˙u sehem fil-˙idma ta’ Don Bosco. Alla biss ikun jaf il-©id li tkun qed tag˙mel.

A˙na s-Salesjani fil-quddies u t-talb tag˙na, niftakru f’dawk kollha li jg˙inuna b’xi mod jew ie˙or. Ma tit˙ajjarx tg˙inna int ukoll? Il-Mulej li qal: “Dak li tag˙mlu ma’ l-içken fost ˙utkom tkunu qed tag˙mluh mieg˙i”, Ωgur ibierek g˙al kull g˙ajnuna li tista’ tag˙ti.

G˙in il-˙idma SalesjanaDawk li huma l-iΩjed fil-periklu l-aktar ji˙tie©u g˙ajnuna. Dawk li m’g˙andhomx le˙en je˙tie©u xi ˙add jiddefendihom. San Ìwann Bosco kien jafu dan. Hu ˙adem f’˙ajtu kollha g˙aΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙, g˙all-foqra u g˙al dawk li huma l-aktar fil-bΩonn.

X’INHI BORÛA TA’ STUDJU?Hija somma ta’ flus li tg˙inna biex in˙allsu parti mill-formazzjoni ta’ Ωag˙Ωug˙ li qed i˙ejji ru˙u biex isir Salesjan.

KEMM TRID TAGÓTI BIEX TWAQQAF BORÛA TA’ STUDJU?Kapital ta’ b600

JEÓTIEÌ LI BILFORS TAGÓTI S-SOMMA F’DAQQA?Le. Wie˙ed jista’ jag˙tiha biçça biçça, tant fix-xhar jew tant fis-sena.

JEÓTIEÌ LI BILFORS IS-SOMMA TKUN MOGÓTIJA MINN WIEÓED BISS?Le. Jistg˙u jiftehmu flimkien iktar minn persuna wa˙da u kul˙add jag˙ti sehmu.IΩda min jo˙ro© wa˙du s-somma kollha, ikun fundatur ta’ dik il-BorΩa.

JISTA WIEÓED IÓALLI L-BORÛA BÓALA LEGAT WARA MEWTU?Jista’. U min jag˙mel hekk, jista’ jikteb fit-testment: “In˙alli b˙ala legat lis-Salesjani ta’ Don Bosco, is-somma ta’ g˙all-formazzjoni ta’ Ωag˙Ωug˙ Malti fl-istess Soçjetà.

BorΩa ta’ Studju

Çempel lil Fr Eric Cachia SDB fuq 21 331 447

NEWSPAPER POSTST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL, ST. JOHN BOSCO STREET, SLIEMA SLM 1925

G˙ax tweldilna tifel, ing˙atalna iben; is-saltna tkun fuq spallejh, u jsemmuh: “Kunsillier tal-g˙a©eb, Alla setg˙an, Missier g˙al dejjem, Prinçep tas-sliem.’’ (Is. 9,5)

L-isba˙ xewqat ta’ Milied hieni

u l-festi t-tajba lil qarrejja, ˙bieb u

benefatturi tag˙na kollha.