The Salesians of Don Bosco are this year marking 100 years of Salesian presence and ministry in Australia with celebrations planned throughout the year.
On March 30, 1923, a group of Salesian missionaries arrived with high hopes in Fremantle, Western Australia, and were later joined by Salesian Bishop Ernest Coppo. Their intention was to work with Indigenous people in the Kimberley in the education of young people.
The original group of Salesians before setting out from Turin, Italy, in 1923. PHOTO: Salesians of Don Bosco.
Due to unforeseeable circumstances and difficulties they encountered, some Salesians returned to Europe disappointed, while others moved to Melbourne to minister to Italian immigrants. They also helped in the education of poor and abandoned young people in Victoria. These few determined Salesians moved forward in hope, trusting entirely in God’s will, for their new mission in Melbourne.
With much gratitude to these dedicated first Salesians, the Australia-Pacific Province of Mary Help of Christians will celebrate its centenary with pride.
A highlight of the celebrations will be the launch of a commemorative book by Fr Frank Moloney SDB on the history of the Salesians in Australia.
An opening Mass for the centenary and blessing of the newly-minted memorial of gratitude to all benefactors launched celebrations at Rupertswood in Sunbury, Victoria.
In April, Salesian Rector-Major Fr Fernández Artime Ángel will make a visit to the Australian province.
And Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB ordained five Salesian deacons in St Francis’ Church in Melbourne. The new Salesian priests are Fr Kevin Fiame, Fr Joseph Huong Vu, Fr Eteuati Milo, Fr Jeff Miller and Fr Duc Tran.
Clergy lay their hands on the newly ordained Salesians earlier this month. PHOTO: Salesians of Don Bosco.
For the ordination, St Francis’ Church was packed with people from the Australian, Vietnamese and Samoan communities: family members, relatives and friends who joined in the responses and hymns of the sacred ceremony, with beloved hymns from their own cultures.
In his homily, Archbishop Costelloe said: “We are gathered here in St Francis’ Church, as the very beginning of the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians in Australia, to celebrate an event which will create ripples across the Salesian Province and region.
“We pray in gratitude that each of these young men has found the courage to listen deeply to the voice of the Lord working in their lives and to respond generously to that voice.”
Archbishop Costelloe invited the new priests to open themselves to the “transforming power of God’s holy spirit and to the gift of priestly ordination which God” has offered them. He assured them of prayerful support as they take up their priestly ministry.
This article is drawn from two media releases from the Salesians of Don Bosco. Click here and here to read them.