Salesian priests visit the Archdiocese

Three priests of the Salesian Order (Don Bosco priests) in the persons of Fr Guillermo Basanes, Fr Villafuerte Noel Enrique and Fr Edwin Ulanday, arrived Jan 27 on a 5-day’s visit to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.

While here they paid a courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong. They also attended the thanksgiving dinner of the golden anniversary of Archbishop Emeritus John Lee organized by the Women’s League.

Aside from being at Sacred Heart Cathedral for Eucharists, they were taken to Tuaran for sightseeing of the parish. They were particularly interested to meet the religious congregations in the Archdiocese and were glad to have met the Monfort Brothers, the La Salle Brothers, the Franciscan Sisters, the Daughters of St Paul and the Carmelites. The Good Shepherd Sisters were away but the Salesians were brought to visit their YouthPREPLink Centre.

The Salesians are a family of men and women founded by Catholic priest, Fr John Bosco, which in Italian is translated Don Bosco.  He began his work in Turin, Italy, in the mid-1800s by gathering poor boys and young men that had no place to live and little education.  He established a place called an oratory where these young people could gather and call their home.

Don Bosco started with the help of many lay people, which he later organized into a lay association in the Church, called the Association of Salesian Cooperators.

From among the young men at the oratory, he founded a religious congregation, the Salesian Society, which consisted of priests and brothers.  It was named after St Francis de Sales who was known for his kindness and simple spirituality.

Salesians minister to young people wherever young people are found.  Their mission is to be signs and bearers of God’s love for young people.  Don Bosco wanted his Salesians to use all their energy and creativity to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to youth.  They accomplish this mission through their daily outreach to the young, especially in schools, parishes, college campuses, youth centers and summer camps.