Inculturation of Salesian Charism in Africa – 1
SALESIAN PRESENCE VERSUS PRIVACY IN AFRICA
Note: This is in no way a scientific work, but only a journalistic writing, originally written for Harambee (AFE newsletter) in 1993. There are two parts to this reflection.
Ndalani is a small Akamba village in Machakos district in Kenya. Last May I had the opportunity to stay in this village for four full days. I stayed and slept in a hut, which was part of a larger homestead. I ate their food (muthokoi). I bathed in the river. I went visiting some families in the village and shared their food and friendship. On the first morning of my stay, my Capuchin friend accompanied me to the river to bathe. When we reached the river, he showed me the place where I could bathe. Then he told me that while I could be bathing there, he would go about […]
Reading Room
Reading Room
Salesian Buzzwords
Administrator
(Bursor)
The one who helps the Rector in the financial matters, caring for the assets and infrastructure of the community.
Becchi
A farm area in thevillageofCastelnuovo D’astiin the region of Piedmont inNorthern Italywhere John Bosco was born. Today the village is called Castelnuovo Don Bosco, and in Becchi stands a big church built to honour our founder – Colle Don Bosco.
Charism, Salesian
A charism is the special contribution that a particular congregation makes in the church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Salesian Charism is the gift of the Spirit to the church to work for the salvation of young people in the style of St John Bosco
Coadjutor (Brother)
A professed/consecrated member of the Salesian congregation who is a religious and not a priest. In English he is simply called, ‘Brother’. Originally in Italian he is called, ‘signore’ meaning Mr.
Co-operator Salesians
These are members of the Salesian Family who contribute to the Salesian mission […]
Power is nothing without control
(A reflection shared at the Youth Vigil on the Feast of Pentecost 11-12 June 2011. This reflection was delivered from 11.30 pm to 1am. Since Powerpoint was used to illustrate the thoughts, the following notes might seem very sketchy.)
The key text that you have chosen for the Pentecost Vigil this year is:
God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control (2Tim 1:7).
When I looked up at this theme, I remembered a billboard that I had seen years ago at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was an ad for Pirelli tyres. It had the caption: “Power is nothing without control.” Therefore, I would like to reflect together with you tonight on the meaning of Power and Control.
Let me start with an analogy to clarify what I mean: just imagine that you have this beautiful car with six cylinder engine; it has a […]
Youth Caught in the Web
Nairobi, 15 April 2011
A three-day symposium organised by the Institute of Youth Ministry (IYM), came to an end today at Tangaza College. On three afternoons different experts shared their ideas to a large audience on the theme of www.youthcaughtintheweb.com The symposium is an annual event, and this year’s one was specially planned by Fr Hubert Pinto. On the first day, Mr Ronald Omboto, an IT-expert, led a three hour session on the history of Internet and the World wide web (WWW). He spoke also of the tremendous possibilities that exist due to this relatively new development. He also enumerated the socio economic political and cultural impact of the internet.
On the 2nd day, Fr Sahaya G. Selvam, SDB led the discussion on three sub-themes related to ‘youth caught in the web’. He began […]
Paravar People of India
Paravar People – An Overview
Paravars are people who now inhabit most of the coastal villages from Tuticorin on the Eastern coast to Muttom on the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Their history, though very little serious research has been done, is very intriguing.
There are some claims that since Paravars are also called Bharathar, they are the original Indians who inhabited the Indus Valley before the arrival of the Aryans from central Asia. Hence they are the original Dravidians. The linguistic similarity between Bharat and Bharathar may simply be mere co-incidence.
However, the earliest mention of the Paravars in any authentic source dates back to 3rd century BC. Some archeological evidence found at Arittapatti in Melur taluk points to the fact that the Paravars were the sole fisherfolk who controlled the coast from Rameswaram down to southern cape. Probably they practiced Jainism by then. It is in that connection that the […]