Happy 200th Birthday To Our Dear St. John Bosco!
August of 2015 is the Bicentenary (1815-2015) of St. John Bosco’s birth! This means, St. John Bosco turns 200 years old this month. This is a memorable event particularly for the followers and supporters of Don Bosco all over the world. The Don Bosco community worldwide organized various celebrations in his honor, bringing everyone from all walks of life, young and old, and from different cultural backgrounds, specifically the devotees of the Saint.
Probably almost all of Don Bosco related catholic schools prepared for a meaningful and marvelous celebration for this occasion. The Philippines catholic hierarchy for its part participated in one of the celebrations of the Salesian community where Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle presided over a mass for the said birth anniversary of St. John Bosco and which was attended by Salesians of Don Bosco throughout Luzon.
Even alumni from different Don Bosco schools who are now abroad and couldn’t come home for the celebration had their own share. They also celebrated the 200th birthday of their patron saint wherever they are.
Pope Francis himself took time out to cite the example of St. John Bosco, while addressing a crowd in Turin last June, 2015, who founded the Salesians and advocated the education of the poor young people.
How about the School of Saint John Bosco in Calumpang? Did they have their own way of celebrating the 200th birthday of Don Bosco? Well, the School with a small group of young students and with its meager resources made it possible to celebrate Don Bosco’s birthday, in a very simple manner, that is without funfair, food and drinks. The Eucharistic celebration and the flower offering of the young kids and some local parishioners actually were the best gift that they could offer for their “Father Saint” whose legacy is his teachings on the Holy Eucharist and Confession.
Once again, a very happy birthday to our dear St. John Bosco! We hope and pray for your guidance in our journey to educate the poor young people and that with God’s blessings SSJBC will be able to overcome challenges and eventually achieve success in the end.