Salesians Return to Sa Kabukiran

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. 

18 Salesians pose at the Lolita Lapid Hall

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. 

During the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

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. 

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!