Salesians return to Sa Kabukiran
They said they will return. And return, they did. On
December 23, 2016 Salesians returned to Sa Kabukiran. This time, with not only
seven of them but 18 of them! These were the Salesians of Don Bosco Mabalacat,
Don Bosco Tarlac and Don Bosco San Jose, Nueva Ecija. These three Salesian
Houses call themselves the Solid North
since they are the Salesian institutions located North of Manila. The group
came early in the morning at about 7:45
am, straight from their celebration of Simbang Gabi from their respective
locales. Immediately, a sumptuous breakfast of longganisang Guagua, Tocino,
Tuyo, Itlog na maalat and tsokolateng batirol welcomed them.
After breakfast, the group headed to the Lolita Lapid Hall
where they recited Lauds, or morning prayer. Thereafter, I gave them a talk
that served like an Advent recollection for them. The talk was entitled: “ O
come let us adore him.” As in other talks that I have given to some of the
clergy, I told them that when I address priests and brothers, I feel a bit
uneasy, knowing that I am just a lay person. Nonetheless, despite the initial
unease, I took strength from the fact that what I preached were not my own
words, but were words taken from the word of God.
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| 18 Salesians pose at the Lolita Lapid Hall |
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| Praying Lauds or morning prayers |
After the talk, they had some moments of reflection, some of
them moving around quietly the spacious and serene place of Sa Kabukiran. Then
an adoration of the Blessed Eucharist was held also at the Hall. They brought
along with them a kind of a small wooden tabernacle where they kept the Holy
eucharist. For an hour or so, they kept watch and contemplated in silence the
presence of Jesus among them. It was a scene that was simple, serene, yet
touching where you see these Salesians quietly contemplating and just being
there present with Jesus among themselves. I guess the ambience was also unique
since the whole adoration atmosphere was surrounded by the lush trees that
surrounded the hall. Really, Jesus is the Lord of all creation, and he is
simply surrounded by it this time.
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| During the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament |
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| Salesians in silence during the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament |
The usual sumptuous Sa Kabukiran lunch was served – lechon,
adobo, bangus, hipon with tabang talangka, chicharon with buro and binagoongan
rice to go with it! At table, the usual happy Salesian fellowship was present
as they recalled and shared funny and hilarious episodes in their respective
apostolates.
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| Fellowship during sumptuous lunch |
I have long been out of touch with the Salesians. Of the 18
who came, only four of them were acquaintances: Fr. Joey Paras, Bro. Nick, Fr.
Ben Cavestany, Fr. Rolo Alcasid. I realized that my contemporaries then have
all turned older like myself and a much younger group of Salesians whom I do
not know much is now taking over the work of Don Bosco. This gives a kind of
assurance that Don Bosco’s work with us will continue with these energetic and
younger Salesians.
My apprehensions during my talk also quickly vanished as I
felt how receptive they were despite my lay status. I just felt that the Lord
touched them in a very personal way, as only he can plumb the depths of the
hearts and souls of these good Salesians.
After lunch, the group headed home, fully revitalized with
their encounter with their brothers in the different Salesian houses, but also
with their unique and loving encounter with the Lord whom they have so lovingly
followed all these years of their life. I know that Sa Kabukiran has been
blessed with the presence of these Salesians but most of all with the presence
of the Lord who has stayed in this lovely place even for only just a while.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
