SETTEMBRU-OTTUBRU 2010 Hajja Salesjana il-216 Óar©a

John Henry Newman: Appostlu tal-Konvertiti New Light on the Shroud Salesian Brigade: 100 sena ta’ attività kontinwa The Logo of the 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, Fuqiex se naqraw Sliema SLM 1925 – MALTA Tel. (+356) 2133 0238 / (+00356) 9986 1586 e-mail: [email protected] Il-Pellegrina©© ta’ 7 A Healing Experience 9 Il-Bulettin Salesjan, imsejja˙ b’diversi ismijiet, ji©i Triq Nru. 7 10 stampat f’56 edizzjoni u f’ 29 ilsien madwar id- Salesian Bishops 11 dinja u huwa mxerred fi 131 nazzjon John Henry Newman: Appostlu tal-Konvertiti 12 Blessed Michael Rua (4) 14 Responsible: Fr. Paul Formosa SDB Malta Salesjana 20 Director/ Editor: Fr. Joseph Cini SDB Dejjem Ìo Qalbna 22 Editorial Board : Margaret Buhagiar, New Light on the Shroud 23 Andre Camilleri, Matthew Borg, Josie Grech. Salesian Brigade Office: Eileen Alden, Joyce Scicluna. 100 sena ta’ attività kontinwa 26 Design & Printing: Salesian Press, Sliema. Tunisia Experience 28 Who Holds My Hand... 29 Tista taqra ˙ajja Salesjana fuq il-kompjuter: Don Bosco fis-Santi u kartolini (4) 30 http://www.salesiansmalta.org Alla, G˙ani fil-Óniena 33 Editorjal / Pedago©ija / Caledar of events / Something to think about / Marian Apparitions Front Cover: Billi din is-sena ja˙bat iç-çentenarju tas-Salesian Brigade, u billi l-istrenna tar-Rettur Ma©©ur tg˙idilna “Nwasslu il-Van©elu liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙”, ir-ritratt tal-qoxra juri mumenti fil-˙ajja tas-Salesian Brigade. editorjal ARMONIJA

Dan l-a˙˙ar kelli l-˙in li nattendi g˙al kunçert f’kull persuna hemm xi ftit ta’ egoiΩmu. IΩda, tkun mill-Orkestra Filarmonika ta’ Malta, ta˙t it-tre©ija ˙asra jekk qatt ikun hemm xi muΩiçist li jfettillu ta’ Christopher Muscat, ©ewwa l-BaΩilika ta’ ja˙seb g˙al-rasu waqt l-eΩekuzzjoni ta’ xi biçça Maria Bambina, l-Isla. Barra l-g˙aΩla sabi˙a ta’ muΩika, biex juri kemm jaf, g˙aliex Ωgur jo˙loq biççiet sagri li ndaqqew, ˙a©a li g˙o©bitni ˙afna stonaturi kbar. Hekk ukoll fil-˙ajja tag˙na ta’ kienet l-armonija li kienet teΩisti fl-eΩekuzzjoni kuljum, meta nibdew na˙sbu g˙al-rasna, tibda ta’ dawn il-biççiet tant sbie˙ u mag˙rufin. Fl- tonqos l-armonija u jibdew l-istonaturi. Ikun orkestra kien hemm madwar 50 ru˙ idoqqu tant hawn li l-˙ajja nibdew nag˙mluha tant diffiçli g˙al strumenti differenti, iΩda, ilkoll f’armonija wa˙da, xulxin, tibda tirrenja l-firda, il-pika, l-g˙ejra, il- qbil assolut li bil-fors jpaxxi l-widnejn u j©ieg˙lek mibeg˙da minflok armonija li ©©ib fer˙ u g˙aqda. tapprezza li hawn tant nies b’talent muΩikali li G˙alhekk importanti li kull persuna tag˙mel kapaçi f’kuncert jag˙tu tant pjaçir. ˙ilitha kollha biex l-ewwel ˙a©a tkun f’armonija Il-kelma ‘Armonija’ hija assoççjata mad- mag˙ha nnifisa, li taççetta lilha nnifisa kif inhi, daqq tal-muΩika iΩda ˙afna drabi wkoll tintuΩa’ iΩda ukoll li tag˙mel ˙ilitha li ti©©ieled kull forma f’relazzjonijiet ta’ bejnietna l-bnedmin. Kemm hu ta’ egoiΩmu ©ewwa fiha. Jekk nibdew minn hawn importanti li bejnietna jkun hemm din l-armonija. allura hemm çans tajjeb li ng˙ixu f’armonija Kul˙add g˙andu l-parti tieg˙u xi ‘jdoqq’ iΩda hu ma’ dawk ta’ madwarna, li nkunu wkoll kapaçi li importanti li b˙al muΩiçisti, kul˙add jag˙mel ˙iltu naççettaw lil kul˙add bit-tajjeb u l-˙azin li hemm biex iΩomm l-armonija ta’ bejnietna. Ûgur li jekk fina lkoll. Ma nistg˙ux nistennew li kul˙add idoqq kull muΩiçist ifettillu jmur g˙ar-rasu ming˙ajr ma l-istess nota. F’orkestra hemm ˙afna strumenti, jΩomm mar-ritmu u g˙ad- direzzjoni tas-surmast, kollha b’noti differenti, iΩda meta jindaqqu minflok armonija jkun hemm biss stonaturi. U f’daqqa, f’armonija, allura kull ma jinstema jkun hekk ji©ri fil-˙ajja tag˙na ta’ kuljum meta tonqos biss ˙oss wie˙ed li jpaxxi l-widnejn u jag˙ti pjaçir bejnietna l-armonija. Minflok jirrenjaw qbil, paçi u lil min qieg˙ed jisma’. J’alla fil-˙ajja tag˙na jkollna serenità, jibda ˙afna diΩgwid u stonaturi li minflok l-˙ila nsibu din l-armonija g˙aliex b’hekk biss jg˙inuna biex ng˙ixu ˙ajja trankwilla u fer˙ana, nistg˙u nkunu tassew kuntenti u nkunu qeg˙din jitfg˙una f’ba˙ar ta’ nkwiet u ©lied. Kul˙add nag˙tu sehemna g˙al dinja a˙jar. g˙andu s-sehem tieg˙u x’jag˙ti. Forsi mhux dejjem nsibuha façli g˙aliex hemm bΩonn nammettu li Fr. Alfred Sacco SDB

... meta nibdew na˙sbu g˙al- rasna, tibda tonqos l-armonija u jibdew l-istonaturi

Hajja Salesjana 3 EDITORIAL Harmony Some time ago I went for a concert at the there is some egoism in every person. However Basilica of Our Lady in Senglea, given by the it would be a great pity if there were to be a Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mro. “musician” who went his own way during the Christopher Muscat. execution of a piece, just to show off, as this I liked the programme of nice, well known, would certainly create mayhem. The same thing sacred pieces, but more than that I was happens in our daily life when we start being struck by the harmony that flowed from their egoists: life’s melody diminishes and things get execution. There were about fifty musicians distorted. It is then that life becomes unbearable playing different instruments, who together, with for many, that disunity, separation, pique and absolute precision, produced one single harmony hate come to the fore instead of harmony which which could not but please the audience. It brings joy and unity. makes one appreciate the fact that there are so It is therefore important that, first and many talented musicians capable of giving such foremost, every person does his level best to pleasure. get rid of any egoism and create harmony within The word harmony is mostly associated with himself. If we all start doing this, then there will music, but it may also be used to describe human be a great possibility of living harmoniously with relations. For this harmony to exist amongst us, those around us, and to be able to accept others, each and every one of us has a part “to play” and in spite of all their failings. The same way as I was it is important that, like musicians, we all make struck by this orchestra where each instrument, an effort to keep harmony amongst us. If the although played in a particular way, produced a musicians were to go it alone, without rhythm or harmonious sound which delighted our ears and direction, the resulting cacophony would sound gave pleasure to all of us who were listening. chaotic. In our life too, when harmony is absent, How wonderful it would be if we were all to our peace, understanding, and serenity will live in such harmony. It would make us really be replaced by confusion, anger and noise and happy and we will have played our part in creating instead of living a peaceful and happy life, we will a better world. have created a sea of trouble and fighting. Everyone has his part to play; and it might not Fr. Alfred Sacco SDB always be easy because, one has to admit that

... when we start being egoists: life’s melody diminishes and things get distorted

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

PEDAGOÌIJA Salesjana Is-Sej˙a Jekk isejjaÓlek, m’inti ser issib qatt mistrieÓ (Charles Péguy).

‘Ìesù tela’ fuq l-g˙olja, u sejja˙ lejh lil dawk li ried. sajjieda. U Ìesù qalilhom: Ejjew warajja u nag˙mel Huma resqu lejh, u hu g˙aΩel tnax li semmiehom minnkom sajjieda tal-bnedmin’ (Mk 1, 16-18). appostli biex jibqg˙u mieg˙u u biex jibg˙athom L-istess ji©ri minn Ìakbu u Ìwanni (ibid vv19-20). jippridkaw, u jkollhom is-setg˙a li jkeççu x-xjaten’ G˙al kuntrarju, Mattew jissejja˙ waqt li kien fid- (Mk 3, 13-15). Dan jinsab fl-erba’ Van©eli b˙ala xi dwana (Mt 9, 9). F’din il-g˙aΩla tad-dixxipli hemm ˙a©a li Ìesù g˙amel fil-bidu tal-˙ajja pubblika ‘kriterju’ fl-a©ir ta’ Alla: il-˙sibijiet tieg˙u ma’ tieg˙u. Dan juri li l-Bxara t-Tajba hija marbuta ma’ humiex il-˙sibijiet tag˙na (ara Is 55,8). Dan insibuh komunità li fiha d-dixxiplu jg˙ix ma’ Ìesù u jaqsam diversi drabi fl-Antik Testment, per eΩempju fil- fil-missjoni tieg˙u. Fil-qalba tad-dixxipulat u g˙aΩla ta’ David: ‘Il-bniedem i˙ares lejn is-sura ta’ l-mixja wara Kristu dejjem insibu laqg˙a persunali barra, imma l-Mulej i˙ares lejn il-qalb (cfr 1 Sam mieg˙U li tbiddel il-˙ajja. Xi drabi Ìesù sej˙ilhom 16,7). Kien ©ara l-istess ma’ Abraham, xi˙ u bla tfal, waqt ix-xog˙ol : ‘Waqt li kien g˙addej ma’ xatt ma’ Mosè, xi˙ u jtemtem, ma’ Ìeremija, Ωag˙Ωugh il-ba˙ar tal-Galilija lema˙ lil Xmun u ‘l ˙uh Indrì u ming˙ajr esperjenza...ma’ Marija! qeg˙din ikalaw ix-xbiek fil-ba˙ar, g˙ax kienu Hajja Salesjana 5 jfisser t˙alli kollox: dak li g˙andek, xog˙lok, il- familja... Óadd ˙lief Alla ma jista’ jitlob li wie˙ed/ wa˙da jinqata’ mill-˙wejje© l-aktar sagri tal-˙ajja: ‘Min i˙obb lil missieru jew lil ommu iΩjed minni ma jist˙oqqlux li jkun mieg˙i; min i˙obb lil ibnu jew lil bintu iΩjed minni ma jist˙oqqlux li jkun mieg˙i (Mt 10, 37-38). Ippermettuli hawn nag˙mel paragun maç-çirkustanza li b˙ala Familja Salesjana g˙adna kemm iççelebrajna: il-150 anniversarju tat-twaqqif Fil-Van©elu nsibu d-diversi tipi ta’ nies tal-Kongregazzjoni tag˙na. Dun Bosco kien sejja˙ mag˙Ωula: xi w˙ud huma sajjieda, l-ewwel wie˙ed madwaru grupp ta’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ sabiex ‘joqog˙du Pietru u ˙uh Indrì, ulied Ûebedew. Imma hemm ukoll mieg˙u’ u mieg˙u jaqsmu l-missjoni li Alla kien Pubblikan, Mattew – Levi, u o˙rajn li jappartjenu afdalu: is-salvazzjoni tat-tfal u Ωg˙aΩag˙ fqar g˙all-partit g˙adu tieg˙u b˙al Xmun ‘l-im˙e©©e©’ u abbandunati. G˙al dan il-grupp Ωg˙ir nistg˙u (Lk 6,5), u Natanael li jistmerr lil Galilin (Ìn 1,45s). napplikaw il-kliem ta’ San Pawl lill-Korintin (1 Kor Diffiçli ssib grupp aktar mifrux. Lit-Tnax, wie˙ed 1,26): ma kienx hemm g˙alihom xi prospettivi kbar; jista’ japplikalhom l-kliem ta’ San Pawl: ‘Qisu min biΩΩejjed niftakru li d-Direttur Spiritwali ta’ dis- minnkom kien imsejja˙. G˙ax ma humiex ˙afna Soçjetà ©dida kellu biss 22 sena, Mikiel Rua! Dun fostkom li huma g˙orrief skond il-qjies tad-dinja, Lemoyne, fil-‘Hajja ta’ Dun Bosco’ kiteb li: ‘Kienu ma humiex ˙afna s-setg˙ana, ma humiex ˙afna kollha Ωg˙aΩag˙ u kellhom quddiemhom g˙aΩla n-nobbli’ (1 Kor 1,26). Fil-kas ta’ Xmun Pietru, Luqa ta’ ˙ajja, b’fiduçja biss f’Dun Bosco.’ Xi whud ma juri il-‘faqar’ ta’ dak li kellu jsir il-kap tal-appostli, kienux çerti. ‘Aktar minn wie˙ed gerger: Dun meta ma rnexxiex fix-xog˙ol proprju tieg˙u ta’ Bosco jrid jag˙milna kollha patrijiet.’ (AGC 404, 10). sajjied (Lk 5,4-10). Mela jekk ner©g˙u mmorru Ir-risposta taΩ-Ωag˙Ωug˙ Giovanni Cagliero, ‘Patri g˙all-kliem ta’ San Mark, id-dixxipulat jirrekjedi jew mhux, jiena ma’ Dun Bosco nibqa’, tfakkarna g˙ixien ma’ Ìesù, s˙ubija u ˙biberija mieg˙U u fir-risposta ta’ Pietru lil Ìesù: ‘Mulej, g˙and min sehem fil-missjoni tieg˙U: ix-xandir tas-Saltna ta’ immorru? Int g˙andek il-kliem tal-˙ajja ta’ dejjem’ Alla flimkien ma’ sinjali li juru lilha tassew. (Gw 6, 68). U huwa lil Ìesù li Cagliero jixtieq jag˙ti Kif g˙andna nifhmuh dan id-dixxipulat li ˙ajtu, b˙all-o˙rajn kollha; u g˙alihom, Dun Bosco Ìesù jsejja˙ g˙alih? Fi Ωminijietna, il-mixja wara huwa fil- prattika l-le˙en ta’ Alla u tal-missjoni li Ìesù ˙adet xejra bibblika u teolo©ika qawwija. Fi Hu jrid jafdalhom. Ωmien Ìesù kwaΩi ˙add ma jitlob li jkun dixxiplu tieg˙u: ‘Mhux intom g˙aΩiltu lili imma jiena g˙aΩilt lilkom’(Ìw 5,6). Barra minn dan, li timxi wara Ìesù

... li timxi wara Ìesù jfisser t˙alli kollox ...

6 Hajja Salesjana Andrej Calleja Il-Pellegrina©© ta’ Turin Form 4G L-ewwel darba li smajt dwar il-pellegrina©© ta’ Turin kien fl-ewwel sena tieg˙i fl- iskola ta’ Savio College. Kien ilni li staqsejt lill- ©enituri jekk nistax immur minn dak inhar li smajt dwaru, iΩda huma qaluli li ma stajtx immur min˙abba li kont g˙adni Ωg˙ir wisq biex insiefer wa˙di. Qaluli wkoll li meta nkun wasalt fil-form 3 jew fil-form 4 i˙alluni mmur g˙al din l-esperjenza jekk inkun g˙adni bil-˙sieb.

Minn dak inhar ‘l hawn dejjem bqajt nixtieq li Nhar it-Tlieta morna naraw il-kmamar ta’ Dun mmur Turin u nara fejn bdew l-g˙eruq Salesjani, u Bosco u hemm, il-˙a©a li l-aktar laqtitni kienet meta qaluli li sejrin jibag˙tuni, tg˙idx kemm ˙adt l-altar tal-estasi fejn Don Bosco kien iqaddes u waqt gost. Malli rajna d-data tat-tluq indunajna li kien ser il-konsagrazzjoni jinqata’ mill-art. Dakinhar rajna ja˙bat l-G˙id il-Kbir, kif ukoll g˙eluq snini! wkoll il-BaΩilka ta’ Valdocco u tlajna fuq Superga Dakinhar qomna kmieni u tlaqna g˙all-ajruport. fejn kien ˙abat ajruplan bit-tim tal-futbol tat-Torino. Wasalna hemm fis-sitta u nofs ta’ filg˙odu u sibt lil L-g˙ada morna sa Riva Di Chieri fejn twieled xi ftit minn s˙abi di©à hemm. Kont ˙erqan ˙afna San Domenico Savio. F’dan il-post jiena bqajt biex nitla’ fuq l-ajruplan u nibda dan il-vja©©. Fil-fatt impressjonat bl-ammont ta’ Beati Salesjani riçenti. dawk il-ftit sig˙at rajthom ma jridu jg˙addu b’xejn. Fil-fatt l-a˙˙ar wie˙ed miet fis-sena elfejn. Aktar Meta fl-a˙˙ar tlajna fl-ajruplan kelli seba’ mitt sena tard dakinhar morna nag˙mlu xi xiri ming˙and biex naslu sa Malpensa u nibdew l-avventura tag˙na il-˙anut tal-Juventus u mill-˙anut tal-Kappa fejn barra minn Malta. g˙all-ewwel darba f’˙ajti ˙adt pjaçir nixtri! Mal-wasla tag˙na morna sa Becchi u rajna fejn Il-Óamis imbag˙ad g˙addejt l-aktar ©urnata li Don Bosco g˙ex sakemm kellu 16-il sena, kif ukoll ˙adt gost fiha. Morna fuq il-muntanja Sestriere u id-dar ta’ ˙uh li ©iet mibdula f’muΩew. EΩatt wara tg˙idx x’xalata g˙amilna bis-sil©. Father Sandro ma morna nqaddsu l-quddiesa tal-G˙id fil-kappella damx ma ©ie ˙dejna, imma ma kinitx idea li ©ietu ta’ Marija G˙ajnuna tal-Insara li, fl-opinjoni tieg˙i, f’rasu g˙ax tg˙idx kemm issuttajnih bis-sil© filwaqt kienet l-isba˙ quddiesa li kellna kemm domna Turin. li Father Eric qag˙ad jid˙ak bih u je˙odlu r-ritratti! It-tieni ©urnata kienet ©urnata li fiha g˙ajjejna u L-a˙˙ar ©urnata li kellna hemmhekk, ji©ifieri il- ˙adna ˙afna gost fl-istess ˙in. Morna mixja mill-Colle Ìimg˙a, morna naraw postijiet tas-sorijiet Salesjani sa Mondonio, il-post fejn kien miet San Domenico b˙al Mornese, fejn Don Bosco ltaqa’ ma’ Maria Savio. Minn hemm bqajna sejrin sa Murialdo u wara Mazzarello g˙all-ewwel darba u Valponasca fejn lejn Capriglio fejn g˙exet Mamma Margherita. Matul hija kienet ta˙dem fl-g˙elieqi. Ûorna wkoll l-in˙awi it-triq kien hemm ˙afna tajn u kul˙add spiçça bl- ta’ Ìenova. islipper ma˙mu© u l-qalziet imxammar. F’Capriglio Fl-opinjoni tieg˙i din kienet l-isba˙ esperjenza rajna skola Ωg˙ira fejn Father Sandro u Father Eric li qatt g˙ext u kieku jkolli ç-çans Ωgur li nara kif re©g˙u spiççaw tfal! Dawn bdew jirreçtaw taparsi nag˙mel biex ner©a’ mmur. Forsi, min jaf, sena o˙ra qed jag˙mlu xi eΩami u l-ie˙or qed jipprova jikkopja! nitilg˙u b˙ala familja jekk Alla jrid! (x’eΩempju tajjeb Father!)

Hajja Salesjana 7 2010 CALENDAR OF SALESIAN FEASTS & EVENTS (www.boscofest.org) Wed 1 Sliema Salesian Cooperators’ Meeting at St. Patrick’s Fri 3 First Friday Devotions at St. Patrick’s – 6.15 p.m. Fri 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions. Wed 22 Bl. G. Calasanz and Companions (Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War) Fri 24 Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians. St. Patrick’s at 6.30 p.m.

E P TE MB ER Mon 27 Start of New School Year at Savio College and St. Patrick’s S

Fri 1 First Friday Devotions at St. Patrick’s – 6.15 p.m. Tue 5 Bl. Alberto Marvelli (Member of Salesian Family) Wed 6 Sliema Salesian Cooperators’ Meeting at St. Patrick’s. Fri 8 Savio College PTA Annual General Meeting Sun 10 Prayer Day for Salesian Missions. Wed 13 Bl. Alessandrina da Costa (Salesian Cooperator) O C TO B ER Fri 15 St. Patrick’s School celebrates Missions’ Day Fri 22 Post-Savio College meeting with Past Pupils and Parents Sun 24 Bl. Louis Guanella (Priest, collaborator of St. ) Mon 25 Commemoration of Mary Help of Christians. St. Patrick’s at 6.30 p.m. Fri 29 Bl. Michael Rua (First Successor of St. John Bosco) 29 – 31 International Congress on Don Rua at Generalate in

1 – 3 Mid-Term Holidays Wed 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 Missions N O V E MB ER

Read ˙ajja Salesjana on the website: www.salesiansmalta.org Pictures of Don Bosco set to reflective music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1dVsM9KAbw For any other info about the Salesians: www.sdb.org Salesians in Malta : www.salesiansmalta.org 8 Hajja Salesjana A Healing Experience For several years, I had been taking anxiety pills. I used to be very depressed.

It was May 2008 when I was invited to the screening of a film called The Life of Don Bosco at the Salesian Oratory in Sliema. That day I was hesitant to go, yet I kept the appointment to attend.

It was during the film when a particular scene struck me, deeply, like a two-edged sword. I still remember vividly Mamma Margherita who was then at the Oratory helping Don Bosco. She went out to the garden to hang up the clothes. Just then our spirits met. Instantly, I felt a deep change in all my senses. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I was breathless. A sense of awe overwhelmed me. Something had happened to me! It was as if I had been struck by a bolt of lightning. I was feeling embarrassed and did not want anyone to notice my tears - not even my dearest husband sitting next to me. I felt peaceful and serene. My first thought was, “Mamma Margherita, you are simple and illiterate. Yet you are noble hearted, silent, hardworking and a loving mother to all! I want to be like you.” She did not speak to me verbally but her presence on screen penetrated my innermost being. She had passed on her loving warmth to me.

I kept silent. I knew I had changed. I began to feel better every day and so I gradually phased out the pills I had been taking for such a long time. By the beginning of July I was free from my anxiety and depression and have remained thus. Thank you Mamma Margherita! Bless us all.

A mother Hajja Salesjana 9 Triq ma ˙assejtnix komdu. Wie˙ed ried itini b’forza kbira qishom pajpijiet irqaq, mimlijin b’likwidu Nru. u b’labra fit-tarf. Beda jg˙idli, “Iva isma’ darba minni ˙abib, ˙u mqar wa˙da minnhom, mhux ˙a minn jiddispjaçik, tie˙u pjaçir.’’ Kont sejjer ‘l hemm, Mark Anthony Schembri iΩda kif rani sejjer qabad u deffisli din il-labra, “A˙˙˙...x’g˙amiltli?’’, iΩda imbag˙ad ˙assejt rasi Din kont ktibta fiÛ-Ûmien meta ddur u niftakar li waqajt ma’ l-art. Wara xi ˙in kont nara Óafna minn sÓabi li kont stenba˙t. “Le din mhix it-triq li suppost ©ejt fiha, qed noÓroÌ magÓhom ser jaqbdu ara xi ©rali, da˙˙akt in-nies bija. Bil˙aqq! Kif insejt! jitÓarbtu,u kont konxju ta’ dak li G˙andi mappa fil-basket. Dik g˙andha turini, le?’’ qed jigri madwari. Hija storja bi Domt ˙afna nfittex. Imma kont qed in˙ossni Ósieb spiritwali, u li fil-fehma tiegÓi noqrob viçin lejha kuljum li jg˙addi. Kien hemm tgÓin biex tÓares iÛjed ‘il quddiem. ˙afna toroq b˙al dik li sibt ru˙i fiha l-ewwel ©urnata, imma bdejt inwarrabhom, bdejt nimxi “Minn fejn tg˙addi biex tmur Triq Nru.7, jekk biss mal-mappa. Ìurnata minnhom, vera ˙assejt li jog©˙bok?” kont qed nfittex g˙alxejn, iΩda f’˙in minnhom rajt “SkuΩani ˙abib imma mg˙a©©el, m’g˙andix triq li kont g˙oddni l-anqas indunajt biha. Aktar çans infehmek.” ta˙sibha xi sqaq milli triq. D˙alt f’din it-triq. Mall- “X’imkien lil hemm ara...” ewwel ˙assejt li l-arja kienet tikkalmak. Fit-tarf “Ma nafx ng˙idlek, imxi iktar u saqsi ‘l hemm tat-triq rajt bieb Ωg˙ir bajdani u mort in˙abbat. isfel ara, hemm xi nies...” Feta˙li Ωag˙Ωug˙ liebes libsa bajda. Wiççu u lbiesu Imma ©o qalbi bdejt ng˙id, “ Ìo dan ir-ra˙al dehru jixeg˙lu. B’le˙en mill-isba˙ qalli, “G˙addi ˙add ma jaf xejn jew? Dan kif ˙add ma jg˙inek?’’ ˙abib, l-img˙allem g˙andu bΩonnok.’’ D˙alt u ma Er©ajt staqsejt, “Ara ˙abib...’’, qalli wie˙ed ˙assejtnix iΩjed vojt, anzi ntlejt bil-fer˙. Alla, g˙ax liebes flokk u jeans iswed, “...inΩel din it-triq, dur hekk jismu l-img˙allem, g˙annaqni u qalli, fuq il-lemin tieg˙ek, u g˙andek tara triq wiesg˙a u “Ibni, dik it-triq tal-bidu ma xtaqtekx tg˙addi mimlija dwal, ˙wienet u nies imxerrdin ‘l hemm u minnha, imma ˙allejtek liberu. IΩda issa taf int ‘l hawn. Dik hija t-triq li jfittxu ˙afna, ˙abib, mur u stess x’toffri. Jiena biss huwa t-triq tal-verita’ ççekkjaha, g˙andha tog©˙bok tafx.’’ u l-˙ajja. Min isib lili jg˙ix g˙al dejjem. Dawk in- “Ejja! Fl-a˙˙ar kien hawn xi ˙add li jaf imur nies li inti ltqajt mag˙hom fil-bidu, m’g˙enukx, u man-nies! Mela nibdew mexjin...’’ sa˙ansitra wie˙ed bag˙tek fit-triq tat-telfien, triq Hekk kif wasalt f’din it-triq, kienet eΩatt kif sabi˙a fil-g˙ajn iΩda li ttelliflek il-paçi. Ibni, dawk iddeskrivihieli dak ir-ra©el. Ifhem, ma tistax huma n-nies tad-dinja, li huma mog˙mija b’dak li tg˙idlu ikrah id-dawl li kien hemm, g˙o©obni. qieg˙da toffri d-dinja. U dik il-mappa li uΩajt int, Pero, li dejquni n-nies. Hekk! kienu wisq ming˙ajr ma hija xejn ˙lief il-kmandamenti, g˙ax meta emozzjoni, qishom iddisprati, u dawk tal- mxejt mag˙hom, irnexxielek issibni. Kun imbierek ˙wienet jaraw kif jag˙mlu biex ibig˙ulek xi ˙a©a ibni, jien dejjem in˙obbok, l-g˙aΩla hija f’idejk biex minn tag˙hom. Ma nafx kellix nibqa’ hemm, timxi warajja, fi Triq Nru.7.’’ 10 Hajja Salesjana Salesian Bishops

Between 21 and 5 May in Turin, at the Mother House, Salesian Bishops met the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, and the members of his Council. The meeting, took place within a series of anniversaries and other events. After the 26 General Chapter held in 2008 the Salesian Congregation is studying and developing its fidelity to the charism of its founder and re- launching its apostolic endeavours. It has been helped in its efforts by the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation (1859-2009), the centenary of the death of the first successor of Don Bosco, Blessed Michael Rua, (1910-2010) and gradually grew and the Church needed new the preparations for the bi-centenary of the birth pastors, his successors saw many others. While on Don Bosco in 2015. In particular, the meeting of Don Rua was Rector Major there were 3 Salesians the Salesian Bishops follows the 125th anniversary made bishops. Then under Fr Albera, second of the consecration of Bishop Giovanni Cagliero successor of Don Bosco, there were 8 bishops and (7 December 1884), the first Salesian Bishop and another one appointed after his death and before Cardinal. the election of his successor, Fr Rinaldi during Of the 119 Salesian Bishops (of whom 5 are whose tenure there were 13. Under Fr Ricaldone Cardinals), 93 were present. there were 33 bishops, and again another one From Bishop John Cagliero until the present appointed after his death and before the election there have been 243 Salesian Bishops. of his successor. When Fr Ziggiotti was Rector Don Bosco was able to see one of his most Major, there were 27 and under Fr Ricceri 28 new vivacious boys (Cagliero) clothed as a Bishop with ones. Fr Viganò had 60 Salesian Bishops, and two his violet cassock, mitre, pectoral cross, and ring... more before the election of Don Vecchi when to his great satisfaction. As the Congregation 27 new ones were consecrated and three again before the election of Fr Chavez in 2002 – since when there have been a further 36 appointed. As far as the successive Popes are concerned, the Salesians appointed and consecrated Bishops were 3 under Leo XIII, 3 under Pius X, 6 under Benedict XV, 24 under Pius XI, 35 under Pius XII, 14 under John XXIII, 30 under Paul VI, no one under John Paul I, 102 under John Paul II and, up to now, 26 under Benedict XVI.

Hajja Salesjana 11 JOHN HENRY NEWMAN: APPOSTLU TAL-KONVERTITI

12 Hajja Salesjana F’ dan ix-xahar ta’ Settembru l-Papa sejjer jagÓmel Ûjara fir-Renju Unit. Nhar it-18 tax-xahar, Ìewwa Coventry, huwa jibbeatifika lil John Henry Newman. Dan il-Beatu kien bniedem gÓaref li kkonverta mill-ProtestanteÛmu, sar qassis u wara kien Ìie magÓmul kardinal. InÌibu hawnhekk storja mill-Óajja tiegÓu mill-ktejjeb ta’ Meriol Trevor, maqlub gÓall-Malti minn Dun Geoffrey G Attard.

Fil-lejl tat-8 ta’ Ottubru 1845, fl-eqqel ta’ familja mhux dejjem kienu jifhmuh. Wara xi maltempata kbira, is-saçerdot Passjonista snin jokkupa l-poΩizzjoni g˙olja ta’ Fellow jew Taljan Dun Domenico Barberi wasal sie˙eb fil-Kulle©© ta’ Oriel tal-Università ta’ f’Littlemore, villa©© çkejken ftit ‘il barra Oxford, kif ukoll ja˙dem fi ˙dan il-moviment minn Oxford. Dun Domenico kien ©ie riekeb kontroversjali Anglo-Kattoliku msejja˙ fuq karozzin u kien imxarrab g˙asra. Id- Oxford Movement, huwa beda jit˙ejja g˙as- destinazzjoni tieg˙u kienet xi stalel mibdula fi saçerdozju li ’l quddiem kellu jirçievi f’Ruma. speçi ta’ dar, fejn il-predikatur anglikan famuΩ Newman wettaq dan kollu fis-skiet, ming˙ajr John Henry Newman u xi ˙bieb tieg˙u kienu daqq ta’ trumbetti, iΩda f’qalbu konvint li kien qeg˙din jg˙ixu waqt li jixtarru r-rieda ta’ Alla ˙a l-a˙jar deçiΩjoni. Ûmien wara, hu qal li wara f’˙ajjithom. Hekk kif il-qassis missjunarju kien ˙afna ra©unament, ried ikun çert li wasal g˙ad- qed jipprova jnixxef ˙wej©u quddiem in-nar, deçiΩjoni t-tajba. G˙alhekk hu sar mudell g˙al Newman da˙al fil-kamra, resaq lejh u ntefa’ ˙afna o˙rajn biex iwettqu x-xewqa tag˙hom li f’ri©lejh. Hu talab li jkun aççettat fi ˙dan “il- jaqbdu it-triq lejn Ruma u jsiru Kattoliçi. mer˙la wa˙da u vera tar-Redentur’’ u talab L-elementi ta’ dik l-g˙axija ta’ Ottubru lil Dun Domenico sabiex jisma’ l-qrara tieg˙u 1845 – il-maltempata, it-talba fuq l-irkobbtejn minnufih. u l-˙e©©a ©ewwa fih - li ©ieb flimkien dawn iΩ- Il-qrara tkompliet il-©urnata ta’ wara, kif Ωew©t ir©iel minn sfond hekk differenti, ilkoll g˙amlet ukoll dik taΩ-Ωew©t i˙bieb tieg˙u, u swew b˙ala muftie˙ g˙all-˙ajja ta’ Newman. filg˙axija lkoll g˙amlu l-istqarrija tal-fidi u Kemm b˙ala Anglikan kif ukoll b˙ala Kattoliku rçevew il-mag˙mudija kundizzjonali. Fl-10 ta’ kien i˙oss fih b˙al tempesta ta’ kontroversji. Ottubru, dik il-mejda li fuqha Newman kien G˙alkemm kien bniedem ta’ intellett qawwi, qatta’ xi sentejn jew aktar jikteb il-manuskritt hu g˙araf jissottometti l-g˙erf tieg˙u g˙al On the Development of Christian Doctrine dak tal-Knisja, speçjalment fil-mumenti tqal serviet biex fuqha tqaddset il-quddiesa li ta’ meta ma kienx mifhum, kif ukoll f’dibattiti fiha Newman irçieva g˙all-ewwel darba ekkleΩjali mqanqla. Newman kellu wkoll l-ewkaristija mqaddsa b˙ala Kattolku. m˙abba kbira lejn Alla u din l-im˙abba kienet Newman, aktar tard, kien obbligat li j˙alli tidher fis-servizz li kien jag˙ti g˙all-o˙rajn, daru f’Littlemore sabiex jing˙ata b’servizz fil-˙idma pastorali fost in-nies, bil-˙sieb u bil- g˙all-Knisja. Huwa ma kienx aktar bniedem kitba u bl-azzjonijiet tieg˙u kollha. Newman Ωag˙Ωug˙ imma kellu esperjenza kbira; huwa sikwit meqjus b˙ala l-Missier tal-Konçilju g˙alkemm sew ˙biebu kif ukoll niesu tal- Vatikan II.

Hajja Salesjana 13 Blessed Michael Rua (4)

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.

Look at the Saint During one of his visits to Sicily, Don Rua was Yet one must return to a major theme of the disconcerted by a little girl shouting “Look at the Scriptures to understand Don Rua’s particular saint; look at the saint!” Don Rua did share with holiness at a deeper level: the concept of the Poor his founder a virile stout-hearted piety that found Ones of Yahweh. After their return from exile, the expression in self-sacrifice for Christ’s Church. remnant of God’s people found their only hope in “Coming out from Mass,” Father Vespigniani an utter childlike dependence on the Lord; totally remembers, “Don Rua greeted all of us Salesians abandoning their private plans for the future, to and boys with a glowing countenance and serene be simple servants at the Lord’s beck and call. All smile; both arms extended as if wanting to take this was in contrast to the stiff-necked worldly the whole world in his embrace after the charity shrewdness and self-sufficiency that had once of Christ.” led them to disaster. It was precisely this spirit His prayer life was always profound and that Christ exalted in the Sermon on the Mount: intense. Besides this Eucharistic piety, his strong “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.” It reached its devotion to Mary as Mother of the Christian zenith in the Suffering Servant, who had totally Church was prominent. At a Rome convention, Don emptied his life of self-will, and in his Mother, who Rua once corrected a Salesian speaker. “How can as a lowly maid-servant would magnify her Lord. we possibly speak of Salesian expansion, without Accordingly, only as a little child could anyone singling out Mary’s powerful help?” gain the kingdom. 14 Hajja Salesjana In this light, all the accusations of Don Rua, Even so, Don Rua would have to trim his sails for being a passive shadow, a second-string Salesian, a time at least. “Slow down,” Pope Leo XIII had fade to nothing. good-naturedly advised, “you are expanding too Miracles in Don Rua’s life there were too, but rapidly and sending mere boys as superiors to usually of the charming, insignificant type which South America.” we would come to expect from this self-effacing Despite this, during his 21 years as Superior man of God: multiplying toffees from a small General, Don Rua would see the original 64 bag; asking a deaf man if he would become a Salesian houses grow to 314, and the Salesians Salesian cooperator if cured; or ridding a convent themselves increase from 774 to 4,010. Such kitchen of ants by having them march in file to increased manpower, Rua insisted, should be an accommodating ditch nearby. There are many diverted toward the children of the poor in more documented. Oratory work. From 1885 onward, he had shouldered most “If you wish to save a poor neighbourhood, of the work for the aging Don Bosco. At his death open a festive Oratory. Even without grounds and in 1888, the founder’s last words for his disciple buildings, if you are real Salesians, the Oratory were “Don Rua, make yourself loved.” He would, will be in you.” His followers took him at his for certain. word. In Seville, Spain, for example, the terrorized citizens were relieved when, at a Salesian Taking the Wheel brother’s prompting, over 500 youngsters laid On paper one would have thought it was a their slingshots at the foot of Our Lady’s statue. matter of simple succession; “Don Bosco is dead, Streetlights would now shine again, and the long live Don Rua.” For had not Cagliero earlier district could sleep in peace! declared, “Don’t call Don Rua Don Bosco’s right- hand man: in fact he’s Don Bosco’s heart, head and hands!” Besides with the unanimous consent of his chapter, Don Bosco had actually drawn up a document of succession. In practice, however, it was far more complex than that. Not only had the succession document been mislaid, but also in 1888 Rome had its doubts about this newly launched congregation with the wind in its sails and an unproved newcomer at the wheel. So much so that there was serious talk at the Curia of merging the Salesians with an older, more experienced religious order. In his very first letter to the widespread Salesian family, Don Rua clearly set out his intended programme: “To maintain and develop Don Bosco’s work while faithfully carrying on the founder’s own familiar spirit and life .”

Hajja Salesjana 15 Milan, or a Christian co-operative and trade union centre in Switzerland. He was too realistic, however, to be deceived by mere numbers. “Don’t be deluded,” he wrote, “by fictitious progress; only houses built on piety and Christian conduct will flourish. Vocations are always the only true index of progress and God’s blessing. Music, drama, and sport are all praiseworthy, but our chief aim is to sanctify feast days by the teaching of catechism as our unforgettable Don Bosco wanted us to.” Faced with new problems, Rua was not slow to In that initial period, vigilance was essential diversify the Salesian work: whether a school for for the slightest sign of division. Church history deaf children in Naples, a rehabilitation centre has shown too many young congregations split for young offenders in Malta, a bike racing club in down the middle by a simple fracture.

f’rasha. Dar fuqha u saqsieha: “Inti sejra tg˙allem fl- Par Widnejn orfanatrofju tal-bniet?’’ Is-soru mistag˙©ba u mifxula qaltlu: “Iva’’. Imma Don Bosco qalilha: “G˙andek Ωball; daqs ta’ Ómar inti sejra tg˙allem lis-subien u mhux lill-bniet’’. Ftit ©ranet wara dik is-soru saret taf li tassew se Darba San Ìwann Bosco kien qed jivvja©©a bil- tg˙allem lis-subien u mhux lill-bniet. Minn dakinhar, is- ferrovija u jit˙addet ma’ qassis ie˙or ma©enbu. Faççata soru qatt ma ˙asbet aktar f’widnejn Don Bosco. Minflok tag˙hom kien hemm Ωew© sorijiet. It-tnejn kienu semg˙u bdiet issemmi l-profeziji tieg˙u li b˙ala qassis kbir beda xi ˙a©a dwar Don Bosco iΩda qatt ma kienu rawh qabel. jag˙mel. Dan kien S. Ìwann Bosco li huwa l-fundatur tas- Xtaqu ˙afna li jkellmuh. Wa˙da minnhom bdiet t˙ares Soçjetà tag˙na s-Salesjani. Huwa g˙andu profeziji bil- minn ta˙t lejn Don Bosco biex ma t˙allihx jinduna biha. wisq aqwa u aktar importanti minn dawk li qal lis-soru. Bejnha u bejn ru˙ha bdiet ta˙seb: “Imma dan veru Don Fil-˙olm misterjuΩ li kellu, Don Bosco kien jara l-futur Bosco? … Kont na˙seb li hu xi ra©el twil u mbaççaç. Issa tieg˙u personali u dak tas-soçjetà tieg˙u. Fost affarijiet qed nara li hu qassis komuni b˙all-o˙rajn. U din kif inhi, o˙ra huwa ra l-ibliet ta’ Santiago, Valparaíso, Pekin, li g˙andu par widnejn daqshiex!’’ Hong Kong, Calcutta u l-Madagascar fejn kellhom imorru Kien f’dal-˙in li Don Bosco beda jitkellem b’vuçi il-missjunarji tieg˙u! Kien jg˙id: “Ne˙tie©u l-missjunarji, kemxejn g˙olja. Beda jg˙id lill-qassis ta’ ˙dejh: “Darba ˙afna missjunarji…G˙al kull missjunarju, il-Mulej Ωgur li jien mort nie˙u ritratt u stag˙©ibt mhux ftit meta tawni jibg˙atilna Ωew© vokazzjonijiet tajba’’. L-ewwel grupp r-ritratt f’idejja. Kont dejjem na˙seb li jiena ra©el twil u ta’ missjunarji bag˙tu hu stess lejn l-Ar©entina nhar il- mbaççaç, imma rajt li jiena qassis ordinarju b˙all-o˙rajn. 11 ta’ Novembru 1875 ta˙t id-direzzjoni ta’ Don Giovanni U fuq kollox ittendejt li g˙andi par widnejn kbar daqs ta’ Cagliero, dak li darba kien wie˙ed mill-ewwel tfal imqarba ˙mar!’’ li kien ©abar u kabbar Don Bosco fl-oratorju tieg˙u. Dik is-soru saret ˙amra nar u kienet se tqum minn Óafna drabi Alla jinqeda bin-nies komuni, umli, postha meta Don Bosco qara ˙sieb ie˙or li hi kellha dg˙ajfa… li f’g˙ajnejn id-dinja jitqiesu b˙ala ˙mir! 16 Hajja 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 Are you people? Am I approachable? • Am I concerned for the young, the poor to the being called and vulnerable? priesthooD

And to the If you believe you have a calling to be a Salesian priest then contact the voca- Salesian tions director, Fr. Louis Grech SDB at: way of life? Tel. 21 454546 / 21 456251 or e-mail: [email protected] for more information www.vocations.salesiansmalta.org

Hajja Salesjana 17 Something to think about…

Wash Day...

Monday - Wash Day Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead. Tuesday - Ironing Day Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

18 Hajja Salesjana Wednesday - Mending Day O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others. Thursday - Cleaning Day Lord help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart. Friday - Shopping Day O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love. Saturday - Cooking Day Help me, Lord, to brew a big kettle of brotherly Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness. Sunday - The Lord’s Day O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Hajja Salesjana 19 Malta Salesjana

ÛewÌ Djakni Ìodda - Turin 24 studenti Salesjani mill-Kulle©© Internazzjonali tat-Teolo©ija f’Turin, li huma minn tmin pajjiΩi differenti, ©ew ordnati Djakni mill-Kard. Severino Poletto, Arçisqof ta’ Turin. Dan ©ara’ nhar it-12 ta’ Ìunju, fil-BaΩilka ta’ Marija G˙ajnuna tal-Insara. Tnejn minn dawn kienu s-Salesjani Maltin Gerald Mangion u Jeremy Vella. Dun Enrico dal Covolo, Postulator Ìenerali g˙all-qaddisin tal-Familja Salesjana, u issa Rettur tal-Università tal-Lateran, qara’ telegramm mibg˙ut mill-Kard. Tarcisio Bertone, Segretarju tal-Istat tal-Vatikan u Salesjan hu ukoll. Frs. Paul Formosa u Savio Vella irrapreΩentaw lis- Salesjani ta’ Malta meta ng˙aqdu mal-familjari taΩ-Ωew© Djakni. Waqt li nifir˙u u nawguraw liΩ-Ωew© Djakni tag˙na f’din l-okkaΩjoni mportanti ta’ ˙ajjithom, nitolbu wkoll g˙alihom waqt li j˙ejju ru˙hom g˙all-jum kbir ta’ meta jordnaw saçerdoti.

Novizzi Ìodda - Dingli Din is-sena il-Mulej g˙o©bu jbierek il-Provinçja ta’ l-Irlanda bil-vokazzjoni ta’ Novizz, Sean Feeney, u lid-Delegazzjoni ta’ Malta bil- vokazzjoni ta’ Ωew© Novizzi ©odda, Pierre Bonnici u Jake Mamo. Dawn ikunu flimkien ©ewwa n-Novizzjat ta’ Pinerolo qrib Turin fl- Italja, min Settembru li ©ej. A˙na nitolbu sabiex fuq l-eΩempju ta’ dawn it-tlieta, Ωg˙aΩag˙ o˙ra jkollom ir-rieda li jwie©bu g˙as-sej˙a ta’ l-Img˙allem u jimxu warajH. Nitolbu wkoll g˙al dawn it-tlitt Novizzi sabiex jintxeg˙lu bl-Ispirtu ta’ Dun Bosco fis-servizz lejn iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ fil- bΩonn, waqt li nawgurawlhom sena novizzjat mimlija barka ta’ Alla.

20 Hajja Salesjana IÛ-ÛgÓar ta’ l-Iskola – Tunes Nhar il-Ìimg˙a 18 ta’ Ìunju, l-Iskola tas- Salesjani f’Manouba, Tunes, kella l-ewwel kunçert minn tlieta li jsiru f’g˙eluq is-sena. Dan kien il-kunçert tal-iΩg˙ar tfal li hemm fl-iskola. Kull wa˙da mill-erba’ klassijiet ippreΩentat xi kanzunetti u reçti qosra, li kienu tassew ˙elwin. Imma dawk li ntog˙©bu l-aktar kienu l-grupp taΩ-Ωeffiena flimkien. Lilhom kienu li l-©enituri çapçpu l-aktar. Ippreparati tassew tajjeb mill-g˙alliema tag˙hom u b’dixxiplina kbira, Ωifnu b’gost g˙alihom infushom waqt li ferr˙u lill-udjenza numeruΩa li kien hemm. Il- ©enituri huma ferm sodisfatti bil-progress ta’ wliedhom fl-iskola tas-Salesjani.

XogÓol fit-Teatru Salesjan 7 ta’ Ìunju: Jum l-Oratorju- Sliema G˙al darb’o˙ra, il-Past Pupils tal-Oratorju ta’ B˙ala parti mill-attivitajiet ta’ Jum l-Oratorju, Tas-Sliema, meddew g˙onqom g˙ax-xog˙ol il-membri flimkien ma’ xi ©enituri, ˙adu sehem b’˙e©©a kbira u b’entuΩjaΩmu. Din id-darba wkoll f’log˙ob tal-ilma. L-organizzaturi ˙asbu sabiex sar xog˙ol ferm siewi fit-teatru minn numru ikun hemm mat-13 il-log˙ba. Il-fer˙, id-da˙k, iΩ- ta’ voluntiera. Óa©a sabi˙a kienet li tara’ xi Ωlieq, il-frisk mill-ilma f’©urnata s˙una u l-˙afna Ωg˙aΩag˙ jaqsmu x-xog˙ol max-‘xju˙’ fl-akbar ilma kollha g˙inu sabiex ikun hemm atmosfera ftehim sabiex kollox mexa sew u sar fiΩ-Ωmien ta’ briju u serenità li minnha qasmu dawk kollha li ippjanat. Dan g˙aliex kien hemm kordinazzjoni ˙adu sehem. Spirtu ta’ familja kien jirrenja matul s˙i˙a u ppjanar tajjeb. Dan ix-xog˙ol kien din l-okkaΩjoni li kienet tassew mimlija b’fer˙ jikkonsisti fi bdil ta’ madum fil-vestwarju t’isfel Salesjan. Kull min ˙a sehem, Ωg˙ar, Ωg˙aΩag˙ u u fil-‘Bar’, fi bdil ta’ armarji, g˙al darb’o˙ra fil- adulti, kollha jistaqsu meta okkaΩjoni o˙ra b˙al vestwarju t’isfel, fi tqeg˙id ta’ sistema tad-dawl din ser ter©a’ ssir ! ©dida f’dawn il-kmamar u tibjid u Ωebg˙a fl-istess kmamar. Prosit lil kull min ta sehem.

Hajja Salesjana 21 Dejjem Ìo Qalbna Kull emigrant li ji©i jΩur lil art twelidu, i˙obb imur post ta’ tfulithom u mas-Salesjani ta’ Malta. Hu f’dawk il-postijiet li fihom ikun qatta’ xi snin ta’ g˙alhekk li meta ji©u ©ewwa St. Patrick, fejn tfulitu: il-belt jew ir-ra˙al, l-iskola, il-MUSEUM, jinsab l-uffiççju ta’ ‘˙ajja Salesjana’, huma j˙obbu l-Azzjoni Kattolika, il-knisja parrokkjali, eçç. Dawk jg˙addu sa dan l-uffiççju sabiex jg˙idu kelma mal- l-emigranti li kienu g˙exu fin-na˙iet ta’ Tas- Father, i©ibulu t-tislijiet tal-o˙rajn tal-G˙aqda tal- Sliema u li kienu ji©u s-Salesjani jew kienu tfal Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, u jag˙tuh fl-iskola ta’ St. Patrick, ma jonqsux li ji©u jΩuru xi a˙barijiet. dawn il-postijiet. Fihom isibu Salesjani “©odda’’, Matul ix-xhur li g˙addew, l-uffiççju ta’ ‘˙ajja u allura jibdew isaqsu g˙al dawk is-Salesjani li Salesjana’ kellu diversi Ωjarat minn dawn in-nies. huma jiftakru. Jie˙du gost jiltaqg˙u mag˙hom, Nafu li skond lista uffiççjali, attendew 86 delegat jekk ikunu g˙adhom ˙ajjin, jew inkella jitkellmu g˙all- Konvenzjoni g˙all-Maltin ta’ Barra li saret fuqhom malli jsiru jafu li dawk marru g˙and il- f’Malta f’Mejju 2010. Minn dawn kien hemm 27 mill- Mulej. Meta ji©u f’dawn id-djar Salesjani, jibdew Awstralja, imma mhux kollha Past Pupils tag˙na. ukoll jiftakru fik id-dar kienet mod ie˙or fi Hawnhekk qeg˙din in©ibu ritratt ta’ meta Ωmienhom, u ˙allihom jiddeskrivu x’kienu jag˙mlu grupp ©mielu ©ew, kollha flimkien, jaraw daqsxejn hawn, kemm kienu jilag˙bu hemm, fejn kienu l-iskola u jiltaqg˙u ma’ xi Salesjani. Dawn iΩ-Ωjarat jistudjaw jew jitg˙allmu l-katekiΩmu. jag˙tuna ˙afna pjaçir u jsa˙˙u l-˙biberija li g˙ada Bog˙od minn Malta g˙ad baqg˙alhom xi ˙a©a teΩisti, avolja hawn tant bog˙od u g˙adda tant li tfakkarhom fi tfulithom, u din hija il-Bullettin Ωmien. Insellmu lill-Past Pupils and Friends kollha Salesjan (˙ajja Salesjana). Huma jirçevuh u li jinsabu f’artijiet imbeg˙din minn Malta, iΩda jaqrawh b’interess kbir. G˙al xi whud mill-Past dejjem qrib qalbna. Pupils imsefrin, dan sar issa l-unika ˙olqa mal-

Fir-ritratt jidhru (mix-xellug) Charles Mifsud (Sydney); Paul De Bono (ex-Melbourne); Marlene Dimech (Sydney); Marthes Ryan and Paul Camilleri (both Melbourne); Lawrence Dimech OAM and Alfred Fenech OAM (both Sydney).

22 Hajja Salesjana New Light on the Shroud

Comments by Barbara Frale, the young historian whose discoveries on the linen cloth kept in Turin are revolutionising the way we see one of Christendom’s most sacred relics. A reporte by Renzo Allegri

“As a professional historian I have been cloth kept in Turin really did cover the body of a studying the Shroud of Turin for a number of man who lived at the beginning of our era.” years. I have analysed and scrutinized in a most Barbara Frale has committed her findings to a meticulous manner troves of ancient documents, bulky, 392-page volume called La Sindone di Gesù especially the ones that have surfaced recently, Nazareno, which was recently published in . and I have come to the conclusion that the Shroud dates from the first century of our era. In Year of the Shroud actual fact there is a great deal of evidence that From April 10 to May 23 the Shroud was again suggests that the Shroud originated in the first in the news. There was a solemn exposition of thirty years of that century.” the relic at the Cathedral of Turin, where it has These words were spoken by Dr. Barbara Frale, been kept since 1578. This is the ninth time it was a young and promising historian, who has become exhibited in over a century. The last time was an authority on the Knights Templar and the in 2000, the Jubilee Year, when over a million Shroud. pilgrims thronged to Turin, including our late “I know practically every facet of all the Pope, John Paul II. This year, Pope Benedict XVI scientific examinations conducted on the visited on May 2. Shroud in the last 20 years, including the famous The Shroud is truly the most enigmatic relic Carbon-14 test which was used to proclaim to the in the world, and has baffled eminent forensic world that the relic was nothing but a medieval scientists for years. Top-ranking pathologists forgery. I have also studied carefully the claims of have established that the man who was covered those who have tried to reproduce a similar relic in that linen-cloth died from crucifixion, that his in their laboratories using the same means and body bore the marks of over 700 wounds, and that equipment that a medieval scientist had at his on his forehead the traces of the crown of thorns disposal. They claim that the Shroud could easily are clearly visible. have been produced in a medieval laboratory. I The Church has made no comment on the can confirm that these claims are outdated. The Shroud for it is not a doctrinal matter, but it latest discoveries on the relic turn the tables on recognizes its value to help us increase in our these skeptics, and reaffirm what tradition has devotion in honouring the suffering that Our Lord always maintained, that is, that the famous linen underwent for his sacred Passion.

Hajja Salesjana 23 documents also disprove those who maintain that the Shroud was produced by Leonardo da Vinci, because Leonardo was born centuries later in 1452. There are inscriptions found around the face of the man of the Shroud. They can only be seen through highly sophisticated equipment. The inscriptions are highly reminiscent of graffiti found in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, and in papyri from the era of Tiberius, the man who was emperor of Rome when Jesus was crucified. Those inscriptions are called ‘traces of transferred writing,’ that is traces of writing impressed on an object (in our case the Shroud) that has been in contact with a written text. The writing is in Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Aramaic. Thanks to computerized reading systems, those traces have been deciphered. Vatican Secret Archives Back in 1978 Piero Ugolotti, a chemist, noted Barbara Frale is an engaging 39-year- that on the negative of a photo of the Shroud old woman, and a highly qualified scientist. strange signs could be seen that looked like She is married to an engineer and has two letters. He turned to an expert in ancient beautiful children. After graduating in Medieval languages, Aldo Marastoni, a renowned Latinist, Archaeology, she specialized in Palaeography, and Marastoni confirmed the existence of Greek Diplomatics and Archives Administration and and Latin inscriptions all around the face on the then in Greek Palaeography, and in 2000 obtained Shroud. They are words of the type: ‘Nazarenos’ a PhD in Historical research at the Ca’ Foscari and ‘in nece (m)’, a Latin expression meaning University in Venice. She has worked in important ‘to death’. On the forehead there are the letters archives both in Italy and abroad and for the last IBEP, which suggests the Greek word for Tiberius couple of years she has been historian on staff (TIBEPIO), as well as other words in Hebrew. at the Vatican Secret Archives, where the world’s These findings have generated great most important documents are kept. enthusiasm among the Shroud scholars, but then the C-14 test dealt the death blow to all this Criticism of 1988 C-14 tests promising research. In those days, the C-14 test The scientists who conducted that Radiocarbon was regarded as practically infallible, much like a test on certain specimens of the Shroud concluded DNA test nowadays. The Shroud was dismissed as that the relic could not have originated prior a fake, and to study it was regarded as a waste to 1260, but the documents unearthed showed of time. that the relic was in existence at least 60 years before that date. For the same reason, the same

24 Hajja Salesjana Exciting discoveries In 1994, research on the Shroud was taken up again as the shortcomings of the C-14 test came to light. Some French scientists started examining the inscriptions discovered by Piero Ugolotti. Professor André Marion, who teaches at the Institut Superieur d’Optique d’Orsay in Paris, examined the Shroud with the aid of specific software capable of detecting old or ancient writings that are no longer visible to the naked eye. Now, right under the face, he found the Greek word ‘HOY’ which could be interpreted as ‘IHOY’. This is the Greek translation of the Semitic original ‘Yeshua’, which stands for ‘Jesus’. This word when placed next to the one discovered by Marastoni, forms ‘IHOY NAZAPHNO’ that is ‘Jesus Nazarene’. Marion also found other signs in Greek and Latin placed around the face, and published these findings in a scientific magazine. He then consulted with My book is a long, detailed and meticulous other specialists from the Sorbonne University study of those writings, and I have come to the who concluded that the inscriptions were from conclusion that they lead us back to Jerusalem at the first Christian centuries perhaps even from the time of Tiberius, who reigned from AD 13 to 37. before the third century after Christ. So my conclusion is that, from a historical point of Professor Marion’s studies were continued by view, there is a plethora of facts connecting the the French analyst Professor Thierry Castex, who Shroud of Turin to the first thirty years of our era. was able to discern the fragment of a text with a I am a scientist; it is not my task to determine central phrase, which could be translated as ‘we if that linen cloth actually enveloped the body found’ or as ‘because found’. These words bring of the Son of God, if the blood stains on it really to mind the accusation which members of the are those of the God-Man. My task is to study all Sanhedrin levelled against Jesus in the presence documents regarding the Shroud, to interpret of Pontius Pilate, ‘We found this man perverting them, to arrange them in systematic order, and our nation…” (Luke 23:2). Professor Castex sent then to draw logical conclusions from them. me these words and asked for my opinion. I examined them carefully and then sought out Explanation of nos in picture the opinion of two renowned scholars of Hebrew. 1. (I)esou(s) “Jesus” These inscriptions, along with the ones found by 2. Nnazarennos “Nazarene” Professor Marion, really do give the impression of 3. (o)pse kia(tho) “taken down in the being the trace of an original document regarding early evening” the burial of a person called Jesus of Nazareth, 4. in nece(m) “to death” which in the local idiom was ‘Yeshua Nazarani’. 5. pez(o) “I execute”

Hajja Salesjana 25 Salesian Brigade 100 sena ta’ attività kontinwa minn Lino Ferris

Nhar il-Óadd, 6 ta’ Ìunju 2010, f’din is-sena ta’ mal-banda, baqg˙u fil-©enb jammiraw liΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ g˙eluq il-mitt sena minn mindu twaqqfet is-Sale- jimmarçjaw. sian Brigade, fost stennija kbira, inbiddlu g˙all- Tqassam program b˙ala rikordju li fih ing˙ata ˙ames darba il-‘Colours’ (Il-Bandiera) li tissim- tag˙rif fuq l-istorja u fuq xi avvenimenti speçjali li bolizza l-prinçipji li j˙addnu l-membri. L-Onorevoli fihom ˙adet sehem il- Brigade matul 100 sena ta’ Prim Ministru Dr. Lawrence Gonzi u s-Sinjura tieg˙u attività. Kienet ˙a©a tassew interresanti li wie˙ed onorawna bil-preΩenza tag˙hom flimkien ma’ i˙ares lura lejn l-istorja ta’ dan il-moviment li kien mistiednin distinti, past pupils, familjari u ˙bieb. ©ie mwaqqaf fuq inizzjattiva ta’ Dun Vincenzo Il-Commanding Officer Joe Giorgio ta mer˙ba lill- Allerga, direttur ta’ l-Oratorju fis-sena 1910. Prim Ministru. Flimkien ma’ Dun Edgar Salomone, is-Sgt. Joseph Fil-qilla tax-xemx ta’ Ìunju, il-bit˙a tal-Oratorju Mifsud u xi nies o˙ra huma taw bidu g˙al din kienet miΩg˙uda bin-nies, u wie˙ed seta’ jara’ l-attività fi ˙dan l-Oratorju Salesjan f’Tas-Sliema. t-tbissima fuq fomm kul˙add. Il-banda tal-Brigade Kif qal tajjeb Fr. Eric Cachia, il-Kappillan attwali ta˙t it-tmexxija tal-Captain Leonard Falzon, u tas-Salesian Brigada, wasal iΩ-Ωmien li n˙arsu l-membri tas-Salesian Brigade, taw parata preçiΩa l-quddiem, b’Ωelu ©did, bl-istess entuΩjaΩmu tal- u simbolika, b’nostal©ija kbira g˙al dawk il-bosta img˙oddi. Il-Prim Ministru sema’ kif tul medda ‘old boys’ li kienu preΩenti. Xi w˙ud minhom ta’ mitt sena l-attività ma waqfet qatt, sa˙anistra ng˙aqdu ma’ s˙abhom tal-img˙oddi, waqt li matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Huwa sellem lill- o˙rajn, min˙abba xi ra©uni jew o˙ra, forsi g˙ax old boys, li lil xi w˙ud minhom kien jafhom ˙assuhom li ma setg˙ux iΩommu l-pass mg˙a©©el personalment f’diversi oqsma tas-soçjetà Maltija.

26 Hajja Salesjana Waqt li dan kollu kien g˙addej fil-bitha tal- fil-bandiera. Forsi ftit jiftakru dan l-episodju Oratorju flimkien mal-˙oss tal-banda, ftakart fil- interessanti u kif ukoll Ωvol©iet l-idea tal-virtujiet fizjali tal-img˙oddi ta’ Ωmieni, fosthom Leonard ma˙ru©a minn kull ponta tas-salib ta’ Malta li Falzon Sr., Carmelo Briffa, Salvino Vella, Charles qieg˙ed ukoll fil-bandiera tal-Brigade. Izzo, Joe Cassar u Tony Gatt. B’nostalgija kbira fost Fis-sena 1989, meta Fr.Francis Zammit kien l-past pupils preΩenti, wara li ltqajna fuq it-tara© ta’ direttur tal-Oratorju, il-moviment laqa’ fi ˙danu St. Patricks sabiex nie˙du ritratt flimkien, kul˙add l-bniet. G˙alhekk rajna l-bidla mill-isem ta’ beda jsemmi tifkiriet tal-img˙oddi, il-parati ta’ jum Salesian Boys Brigade, g˙al Salesian Boys and l-Vitorja fil-‘main guard’ il-belt, campings fis-sajf, Girls Brigade. Kien xieraq li din is-sena f’g˙eluq il-festa ta’ San Bastjan kull Jannar, u l-laqg˙at ta’ il-mitt sena, il-moviment jibda jissejja˙ bl-isem kull nhar ta’ Ìimg˙a. G˙adni niftakar lil Dun Ìwann inklussiv ta’ Salesian Brigade. Il-membri g˙adhom Degorgio, li beda jmexxi l-Brigade minn 1933, u jiltaqg˙u kull nhar ta’ Ìimg˙a sabiex ji©u m˙arr©a li kul˙add kien jmur isellimlu wara l-laqg˙a, kif fid-drill u l-banda, kif wkoll f’dixxiplini o˙ra b˙al b’paçenzja kbira kien jg˙addi l-uniformi tax-xitwa trekking, hiking, expeditions, abseiling u camping. minn membru g˙all-ie˙or meta kul˙add jitwal b’xi Hija tradizzjoni li kull sena is- Salesian Brigade pulzier min sena g˙al o˙ra. jorganizzaw camp fis-sajf fejn fl-a˙˙ar ©urnata Niftakar meta Fr. Joseph Borg ˙a f’idejh it- jsir camp fire u ˙allu l-membri juru t-talenti tmexxija tal-moviment fis-sena meta ©ie lura tag˙hom tal-kant u sketches qosra u ˙elwin. Ji©u mill-Awstralja. Fl-g˙omor sabi˙ ta’ 90 sena, Fr. organizzati wkoll weekend campings fix-xitwa Borg, kien preΩenti, g˙al din il-parata li saret fejn l-membri ji©u m˙arr©a fit-tisjir u f’inizjattivi nhar il-Óadd, 6 ta’ Ìunju u li Ωgur ©abitlu memorji o˙ra bΩonjuΩi g˙all-˙ajja. Kemm nixtieq li g˙adni sbie˙. Jien niftakar ukoll kif, g˙odwa wa˙da, meta Ω-Ωag˙Ωug˙ sabiex ner©a’ ng˙ix dawk is-snin sbie˙ konna qeg˙din ng˙umu Tas-Sliema ma’ Fr. Borg, li g˙addejt fil-Brigade! huwa qalilna fuq l-idea tieg˙u li l-bandiera tal- Hija x-xewqa ta’ kul˙add, li dan il-moviment, Brigade g˙anda tinkludi s-si©ra tal-Awrikarja. Dan minkejja d-diffikultajiet kollha li wie˙ed jiltaqa’ min˙abba l-fatt li ma©enb l-Oratorju fi Triq Karm mag˙hom fiç-çirkostanzi tal-lum, jibqa’ attiv fl- Galea, kien hemm dis-si©ra dritta u g˙olja li kienet edukazzjoni u l-formazzjoni tat-tfal u Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ tidher min kull na˙a tad-dawra ta’ Tas-Sliema ˙alli jΩommu g˙oli l-motto tag˙hom ‘Ne Cede meta ˙afna mill-bini kien g˙adu fuq Ωew© sulari. Malis’ (La ççedix g˙all-˙aΩen). J’alla jer©a’ jinkiteb Din, fil-fatt, ittie˙det b˙ala simbolu u tpo©©iet kapitlu ie˙or simili fis-sena 2110.

Hajja Salesjana 27 Tunisia Experience On 5th June -13th June 2010 a group of Form 5 students This is not done by preaching about Christ but by from Savio College went for a voluntary experience at showing love, respect and a sense of belonging in a Salesian environment. Manouba, Tunisia with Fr Louis Grech. This is their In the same way, during our one week visit, we experience. joined the children in various activities such as: One’s perception of a holiday is always one in playing football, participating in Physical Education which a person relaxes, enjoys another country’s lessons and exchanging names. Astonishingly culture and meets other people. We did all this, but enough, they asked us for our autographs with the with a twist. addition of a handful of photographs. After five years of living the Salesian manner To help support the Salesian work in Manouba, of youth encounter, we had the opportunity we were asked to do some labour work. This to convey our experience to a school of young consisted of removing a sandpit instead of which Tunisian students, without the necessity to toilets for the kindergarten students will be mention anything about our religious beliefs. constructed. We were also asked to relocate and We went out to meet them the children during stack a pile of bricks. Despite the hard work which their breaks. Some of them gave us an uncertain we were not used to, the final satisfaction and smile, while others had no idea what to think of us. appreciation by both ourselves and the community Were we intruders? No, of course not. After being was well worth the aches and pains. studied from head to toe, they warmed towards us To conclude, we managed to strengthen as a making us feel totally welcome. There was no need whole group and mature individually, which was for us to be either fluent in their language, or know the utmost aim of this experience. Other than what their culture. We thought communication would be is mentioned above, we also went on excursions a great obstacle, but surprisingly enough we easily together and participated in group building eliminated it using simple body gestures, topping evaluation. it off with a mixture of languages. Finally, to reach the climax of our everyday The main objective of this Salesian school in the activities we celebrated Holy Mass every evening heart of Manouba is not only to provide academic as a family. education but to be a major part in the important Article by: Kenneth Terribile, Kurt Portelli, Matteo Azzopardi, socialisation following the footsteps of Don Bosco. Kieth Tanti and Mark Anthony Schembri.

28 Hajja Salesjana Who Holds My Hand…

I was stuck in traffic on Interstate 81, just below Harrisonburg, Virginia and that they were going the Virginia state line, (Bristol, Tennessee), due to there; there was a home that became open, a traffic accident. This accident involved a tanker and that they were going to start all over again truck hauling a hazardous material load that there. Staring over at their age would not be easy. developed a leak, which meant that we weren’t I will soon be 48 years old, and I have to say going anywhere for several hours, until the clean that I have never eaten a tuna sandwich with up was completed. I set my brakes on the truck side orders of reality and humility. These people and got out to stretch my legs. Other truck drivers lost everything except the pictures, important did the same, and at one point there were 5 of us documents, and some clothes. Joe had managed standing there by my truck, complaining. to get their antique heirloom grandfather clock Sitting right beside me in the left lane, were two into the bed of the truck and Anna got her china elderly people in a ‘Silverado’ pick up truck, which and silverware, but that was all. These wonderful was loaded quite well. The man, (Joe), lowered his people lost practically everything they owned and window and asked what was going on regarding the still would not accept any money for their food and traffic situation. Soon we were all talking with this drinks. Joe said that “it was better to give than it couple. The lady, (Anna), said that they had plenty is to receive.” of water, and sodas in the cooler in the bed of the When the hurricane had struck, they sought truck, and she said that she had plenty of tuna refuge behind a block wall that he had built years salad made up, and asked if we would be interested ago, and they watched their belongings and in a sandwich. We agreed to a sandwich. While Anna their home disappear in the winds of Hurricane was making the sandwiches on the tailgate of the Katrina. Joe said that during all this he had one truck, she was singing like a songbird. To be close hand holding onto Anna and the other holding to 70, (I guess), she had a remarkable voice. onto God. They and their truck came out of Katrina I noticed a Mississippi license plate on their unscathed. truck. I inquired as to what part of Mississippi they As I stated before, Anna was singing a song were from. Joe said Biloxi. Knowing that Biloxi had while making the sandwiches. The song is titled been ravaged also by hurricane Katrina, I asked “I know who holds tomorrow,” an old gospel if they sustained any damage. Joe said that they song. She knew every word, and was quite a gifted lost everything but what they had on them and singer of it. Have you ever heard it? what was in the pickup. All of us drivers tried The chorus of this song is, “Many things about unsuccessfully to pay them for their drinks and the tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know sandwiches. They would have nothing to do with it. who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my Joe said that their son was living around hand.”

Hajja Salesjana 29 minn Renè Sacco Dun Bosco fis-santi u kartolini Ir-Raba’ parti

Wasalna g˙ar-raba’ parti ta’ din is-sensiela li jidher li qed tqajjem çertu interess. Proprju g˙al din il- parti ˙sibt biex nuri tlett santi li fihom naraw lil Dun Bosco fil-funzjoni tieg˙u b˙ala saçerdot.

L-ewwel santa li g˙andna din id-darba, g˙andha madwar 80 sena, u aktarx li ©iet stampata proprju fis-sena tal-beatifikazzjoni ta’ Dun Bosco, ji©iefiri l-1929. Dan jixhdu l-fatt li fuq wara, barra talba lil Dun Bosco, hemm ukoll konçessjoni ta’ 200 ©urnata indulgenza bl-awtorità tal-Kardinal Giuseppe Gamba, Arçisqof ta’ Turin, meta ting˙ad it-talba li hemm fuq wara u li ©©ib id-data tat- 2 ta’ Ìunju 1929. Din is-santa, li g˙andha daqs ta’madwar 6.5 x 10.5çm. hi ftit mg˙arrqa, iΩda g˙alija xorta g˙andha pre©ju. Interessanti ferm hija l-inkonografija ta’ din is-santa. Hawn qeg˙din naraw lil Dun Bosco waqt iç-çelebrazzjoni tal-quddiesa, preçiΩament waqt l-elevazzjoni. F’dan il-mument, Dun Bosco kien spiss jdher jinqata’ mill-art f’estasi. Dan il-fatt dokumentat kien jissuççiedi fil-kappella tal-Casa Madre tas-Salesjani, Turin (Valdocco), fejn Dun Bosco g˙adda l-a˙˙ar snin ta’ ˙ajtu, u fejn kien iqaddes fuq l-istess artal li jidher fis-santa. Dan l-artal g˙adu jeΩisti fil-post sal-lum u hu mag˙ruf b˙ala l-artal ta’ l-estasi. Wie˙ed jista jara dan l-artal meta jΩur il-‘Camerette’ ta’ Dun Bosco ©ewwa Valdocco. Din is-santa hi stampata ‘monochrome’ bil-kulur sepja, u x-xifer hu mdawwar b’faxx ta-deheb. Sfortunatament fis-santa ma hemmx indikazzjoni min pin©a din l-imma©ni.

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 ([email protected]). Nirringrazzjawkom bil-quddiem.

30 Hajja Salesjana It-tieni santa hija wa˙da minn sett ta’ 25 santa (preçiΩament in-nru. 12), li juru episodji ewlenin mill- ˙ajja ta’ Dun Bosco permezz ta’ imma©ni mpittra mill-artist bravu Corrado Mezzana li dwaru di©a g˙edna xi ˙a©a fil-˙ar©a li g˙addiet. Dan is-sett hu meqjus b˙ala klassiku u pre©jat ˙afna mill-kollezzjonisti. Kull santa f’dan is-sett g˙andha l-istess format u kuluri b˙al dik li qed naraw, ovvjament il-parti t’isfel turi episodju differenti f’kull wa˙da. Fuq wara ta’ kull santa f’dan is-sett, hemm rakkont ta’ l-episodju li jidher fuq quddiem. Id-daqs tas-santi huwa ta’ 7.0 x12.2 çm. F’din is-santa partikulari naraw l-episodju providenzjali li kellu jkun dak li ta bidu g˙all-fenomenu ta’ l-Opra Salesjana. Dun Bosco jidher qieg˙ed jitkellem ma’ Bartolomeo Garelli Ωag˙Ωug˙ ta’ sittax-il sena fis-sagristija tal-knisja ta’ San Frangisk ta’ Assisi fil-belt ta’ Turin. Bartolomeo, li kien iltiem, fqir u illitterat kien g˙adu kif qala’ çanfira mis-sagristan, iΩda Dun Bosco flok ˙allieh jitlaq, stiednu biex jibda ji©i u j©ib lil ˙biebu biex jibdew jitg˙allmu xi ftit tal-qari, kitba, duttrina , kif ukoll jilag˙bu f’ambjent ming˙ajr periklu g˙al sa˙˙ithom, iΩda aktar u aktar g˙al ru˙hom. Dan ©ara nhar it-8 ta’ Diçembru 1841 il-festa tal-Immakulata Kunçizzjoni, ©urnata li baqg˙at titfakkar b˙ala l-‘birthday’ tas-Salesjani. Is- sagristija fejn se˙˙et din il-©rajja, g˙adha sal-lum, eΩatt kif kienet dak in-nhar. Dan is-sett ©ie stampat bil-proçess tal-kromolitografija madwar l-1930 u huwa proprjetà riservata tas-‘Società Editrice Internazionale’ ta’ Turin. (Nota: Is-sett li g˙andi jonqsu in-nru.8 biex ikun komplut, jekk xi ˙add g˙andu din is-santa u jkollu il-pjaçir jg˙addihieli, inkun ferm grat).

Hajja Salesjana 31 Fit-tielet stampa ta’ din id-darba naraw santa li aktar g˙andha daqs ta’ kartolina, fil-fatt il-qisien tag˙ha fir-realtà huma 10.2 x 16.2 çm; iΩda peress li mag˙mula minn karta ratba, ma nqisuhiex b˙ala kartolina. F’din is-santa naraw lil Dun Bosco jamministra s-sagrament tat-tqarbin. Ta˙t l-imma©ni hemm skrizzjoni bl-Ispanjol li bil-Malti tfisser ‘Beatu Ìwann Bosco, appostlu tat-tqarbin ta’ sikwit’ (frekwenti) xi ˙a©a li Dun Bosco kien jis˙aq ferm fuqha. Din is-santa hija ppubblikata mil-biblijoteka ‘Angel Custodio’ ta’ Bahia Blanca ©ewwa l-Ar©entina, li, b˙al speçi ta’ reklam, stampat fraΩi probabilment ta’ Dun Bosco ukoll, li tg˙id hekk ‘Ktieb tajjeb huwa x-xemx tar-ru˙’. G˙alkemm isem l-awtur ta’ din il-pittura ma jidhirx, l-indikazzjonijiet huma li din hi wa˙da mix-xog˙lijiet b’ Dun Bosco b˙ala tema li wettaq il-pittur Carlo Thermignon (1857-1938). Jidher li l-viΩjoni ta’ Marija G˙ajnuna tal-Insara fl-isfond kienet element karatteristiku ta’ dawn ix-xog˙lijiet artistiçi. Din l-istampa partikulari hija kromolitografija u ©iet stampata qabel l-1930. Din l-imma©ni tinsab f’diversi daqsijiet o˙ra, ˙afna minnhom stampati b’kulur wie˙ed (monochrome).

Nixtieq in©edded l-istedina g˙all-kummenti kif ukoll l-appell g˙al xi kontribuzzjoni g˙all- kollezzjoni (mhux flus). S’issa kellna donazzjonijiet ta’ materjal tajjeb ˙afna ming˙and is-Sinjuri Jean Scott u John Cardona u ming˙and Fr Alfred Sacco sdb. Renè Sacco: [email protected]

32 Hajja Salesjana Alla, G˙ani fil-Óniena Fr. Sandro Camilleri sdb

Alla, gÓani fil-Óniena’ huwa programm mtella’ mill-Appostolat tal-Óniena Divina fuq Radju Marija kull nhar ta’ ÌimgÓa mit-8.00 sat 8.30 p.m. Dak li se taqraw huwa minn wie˙ed minn dawn il-programmi.

Riflessjoni fuq paragrafi 408-412 mid-Djarju ta’ kemm-il darba meta nid˙lu fil-knisja nispiççaw Santa Fawstina Kowalska. l-ewwel immorru quddiem xi statwa li hi biss G˙al darb’o˙ra llum ing˙atajna l-grazzja rappreΩentazzjoni bla ˙ajja tal-g˙aΩiΩa Ommna nisimg˙u ftit mill-˙sibijiet u l-esperjenzi li Santa Marija jew ta’ xi qaddisa fil-waqt li ninsew li fit- Fawstina kitbet fid-Djarju tag˙ha. tabernaklu hemm Gesù ˙aj jistenniena? Jew min Punt li mill-ewwel laqatni hu l-fatt li wara li jaf kemm-il darba ng˙addu quddiem it-tabernaklu Sor Fawstina taqsam mag˙na dak li tara waqt li bla ma biss nag˙mlu reverenza, inkin jew turija tkun timmedita fuq il-passjoni ˙arxa li Sidna Ìesù o˙ra ta’ rispett? Kristu bata g˙alina, hi tg˙idilna dawn il-preçiΩi Min jaf kemm-il darba aktar inkun mo˙˙i ng˙id kelmiet “Kull ru˙ g˙andha tirrifletti x’kien qed kelma ma’ ta’ ˙dejja fuq il-bank jew noqg˙od ibati Ìesù f’dak il-waqt.’’ U g˙aldaqstant jiena ng˙arrex min hemm fil-knisja milli nitkellem u nistaqsi: kemm nieqfu u na˙sbu u napprezzaw dak nifta˙ qalbi quddiem l-img˙allem tieg˙i mistur kollu li bata Ìesù g˙alina? Kemm nag˙rfu li a˙na swejna ˙afna g˙al Ìesù u li hu g˙amel dan g˙ax Hu mi©nun bl-im˙abba g˙alina? Issa huwa l-waqt li tirrifletti fuq dan, u fuq kollox tirringrazzja lill- Mulej ta’ kemm g˙amel g˙alina lkoll. Noqog˙du attenti li ma naqg˙ux fir-rutina u l-medjokrità bil-konsegwenza li l-passjoni ˙arxa ta’ Ìesù tispiçça li ma trieg˙edx iktar il-©ewwieni, il-kuxjenza tag˙na. Punt ie˙or sabi˙ u elokwenti fis-sempliçità u l-messa©© çar tieg˙u hu meta Fawstina tistqarr mag˙na. “Li kieku l-erwie˙ kollha kienu jafu min hemm jg˙ix fil-knejjes tag˙na ma kienx ikun hemm daqshekk insulti u daqshekk nuqqas ta’ rispett f’dawn il-postijiet qaddisa!’’ Hekk hu…

Hajja Salesjana 33 wara l-ispeçi Ewkaristika? Kieku nag˙rfu li tassew hemm Ìesù ˙aj fit-tabernaklu kemm immorru nΩuruh iktar ta’ spiss, kemm nilbsu a˙jar u iktar modest meta mmorru quddiemu fis-sajf, kemm in˙affef immur f’ri©lejh!! Marbut ma’ dan il-punt, iktar ‘l quddiem, din is-soru qaddisa, s-segretarja u l-appostlu tal-Óniena Divina, kif kien isej˙ilha Ìesù stess, tistqarr mag˙na li hi dejjem tag˙mel dak li jog˙©ob l-iktar lil Ìesù. Mhux li kien li int u jien u a˙na lkoll li ng˙idu li a˙na dixxipli ta’ Ìesù, l-Insara, nag˙mlu hekk ukoll! Kieku lill-Mulej ara kemm nag˙tuh ©ie˙, glorja u fer˙. Kieku ara kemm nevitaw sitwazzjonijiet ta’ dnub. Ejjew nag˙mlu l-qalb u b˙al Fawstina naraw x’nistg˙u nag˙mlu kull ˙in biex lil Ìesù nag˙tuh pjaçir u mhux dispjaçir. Bla dubju, jekk se nippruvaw nag˙mlu dan kollu, l-g˙adu tag˙na x-xitan se jara kif jag˙mel biex ifixkilna, ixekkilna, jaqtg˙alna qalbna. IΩda ejjew inΩommu sod, niffissaw ˙arsitna fuq Ìesù, inΩommu ru˙na f’kuntatt mieg˙u kuljum, nirçevuh ta’ spiss fl-Ewkaristija, mmorru u nistqarru ˙tijietna fil-qrar u nsostnu ru˙na bi ˙bieb tal-istess g˙anijiet b˙al tag˙na ˙alli hekk nibqg˙u nimxu ‘l quddiem u nsiru persuni li fihom Ìesù jsib l-g˙axqa tieg˙u g˙ax g˙alkemm dg˙ajfa u midinba, qed nippruvaw in˙obbuH g˙ax jixraqlu u qed in˙alluH isaltan f’˙ajjitna u jibdilna f’nisa u r©iel skont qalbu.

34 Hajja Salesjana G˙in il-˙idma Salesjana

Dawk li huma l-iΩjed fil-periklu l-aktar ji˙tie©u g˙ajnuna. Dawk li Iva, nixtieq ng˙in lis-Salesjani. Se nibg˙at m’g˙andhomx le˙en je˙tie©u xi ˙add jiddefendihom. San Ìwann Bosco q5 q10 q25 q50 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. kull xahar kull tliet xhur kull sena

b˙ala g˙ajnuna g˙all-missjoni tag˙kom. Naf li din Int tistà tg˙inna. Meta qed tag˙mel hekk, int tkun qed tie˙u ma tqieg˙ed l-ebda obbligazzjoni fuqi u li nistà sehem fil-˙idma ta’ Don Bosco. Alla biss ikun jaf il-©id li tkun nwaqqaf il-kontribuzzjoni tieg˙i meta rrid. qed tag˙mel. Isem

A˙na s-Salesjani fil-quddies u t-talb tag˙na, niftakru f’dawk Indirizz 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.

BorΩa ta’ Studju

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.

Çempel lil Fr Eric Cachia SDB fuq 21 331 447 Apparitions of Our Lady Our Lady Of La Salette

On September 19, 1846, the Virgin Mary appeared in La Salette, France, to two children, Melanie Mathieu (14) and Maximin Giraud (11), while they tended their sheep. Our Lady, aglow with light sat on a rock; she was weeping for the sins of mankind and called for conversion to avoid God’s punishment. Our Lady complained about people’s corruption and greed, as well as their religious indifference and disregard for God’s Commandments especially by cursing the name of God and working on Sundays. She chastised evil priests and religious, saying: “Woe to the priests and to those dedicated to God who by their unfaithfulness and their wicked lives are crucifying my Son again;” as well as corrupted civil authorities: “All the civil governments will have the plan to abolish every religious principle to make way for materialism, atheism, and vices of all kinds”

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