Guide for Presenters:
• Familiarise yourself with a full trial viewing. The presentation
takes approximately 45 minutes (includes moments of silent prayer).
Presenter’s notes are at the foot of some slides (in edit mode). The
group might like to absorb the photos before rushing into the script.
Reduce song volume during the 3 ‘Staying with DB’ slides.
• You will require: Relic Statue, projector, screen, amplified sound
system to laptop, nice candle, matches, readers (microphone?)
• Make slide changes to suit your particular group: select what is
relevant, add some local photos, or prayers for local needs, ...
• Rehearse the various readers beforehand. Print off their parts??
You will require many readers and someone to light the candle.
• Contact Fr Paul Miles for support 0401 385 589
pmiles@salesians.org.au
Guide for Presenters (continued):
• Invite the gathering sing and to join in where it says ‘All’
Consider clapping in the final song.
• Added to this presentation could be: DVD segment from a Don
Bosco movie, a 3 minute ‘Goodnight’, writing and placing prayers at
the foot of the Relic Statue, interactive sharings, etc. I will attach a
Pictorial life of DB to the CD in a different folder.
• What this presentation is about? ... Songs, praise, thanksgiving,
prayer & reflection – in the presence of Don Bosco Among Us in our
Australian communities.
• An alternative to the Video ‘Celebrate’ song, are 5 slides with
lyrics only – found in the Appendix. Maintain all 5 slides in
sequence or the song will stop. Do not go back a slide
during any song or it will stop.
Commentator: Welcome to our
celebration. The visit of the Statue-Relic of
St John Bosco is very special to all of us who
have heard about, and prayed to, this great
saint. He is the patron and guide of youth.
He is a father and teacher for us all.
During his lifetime,
Don Bosco sent out
missionaries to bring
Christ’s message of hope
to the young and the
poor in far away places. ...
... And yet, Don Bosco himself did not
travel too far out of his native Italy. Now, in
death, he is present in a special way to
people all over the globe, including our
gathering here.
Salesian gatherings are occasions of
Christian joy, so in that spirit, please join in
the following prayers and
reflections beginning with
this song composed for
the relic visit. ...
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Act of Illumination:
[Candle is lit]
Don Bosco remains for us a beacon
- May his brightness enlighten us to
‘Come and see’ Jesus more
personally.
- May we see in the glow and
warmth of St John Bosco, a true
heart of committed love.
Don Bosco brings us together today as one family.
As Salesian family, we
celebrate in joy and
prayer, around Don
Bosco. In the name of the
Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Prayer
All: Lord, your servant, St John Bosco
would not rest until he found secure places
for his needy boys to stay, to eat, to have
the opportunity for education, and to grow
in knowledge and friendship, with God and
one another.
May Don Bosco’s strong
faith and his desire to
help the young and the
poor, inspire us to lofty
goals. Amen..
Context:
In 1876 Don Bosco addressed a large mixed group at the
Oratory where he pointed out that he had received “an
extraordinary number of requests for new schools, houses and
missions ... from China, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Paraguay”.
In 1884 in the Yearly Letter he wrote to his Salesians, Don Bosco
spoke of having received 200 separate requests for new
foundations ... from India, China, Japan, and from the most distant
islands of Oceania.
The Fourth Dream is a fantastic globe-trotting journey with ‘angel’
scenes symbolising Africa, Asia, Australia-Oceania.
The three angels of Africa, Asia, Australia
The dream scene referring to Australia-Oceania
“Finally Don Bosco seemed to find himself in
Australia. An Angel was present there too but he had no
name. He was walking with the people, urging them and
guiding them in a southerly direction. Australia did not
appear as a continent but as an archipelago of many
islands inhabited by people of different characteristics
and features. A great number of children lived in those
islands. They were trying to cross over to Don Bosco and
to the Salesians with him, but were
prevented by the great distances
and the stretches of water that
lay between us ...
... Yet they were holding their hands out
towards us and crying:’ Come and help us! Why
do you not finish the work which your fathers
began?’ Many of the youngsters after walking
some distance gave up. But some of them making
their way with great effort through the midst of
ferocious wild beasts, joined the Salesians (Don
Bosco did not recognize any of those sons of his).
Then the youngsters began to sing:
‘Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord’.
Dream text continued ...
... A large cluster of islands could be seen at
various distances, but Don Bosco could not pick
out any details. He felt, however, that globally
speaking this indicated God’s intention of
entrusting a portion of that evangelical [mission]
field to the Salesians, though in future times.
Their labours will bear fruit because the Lord
will stand by them always - provided they will not
prove unworthy”. #
Being a Salesian
community is special.
We live and relate in joy,
in prayer, in active love
and respect for one
another, with a special
focus for young people,
especially looking out to
support those who are
The following
needy – whether they be
Scripture service
in our school or in
develops some
another country.
of these themes.
Scripture Reading from the Mass of St John Bosco
[Philippians 4:4-9]
St Paul exhorts the Christian community:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ...
[Philippians continued...]
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things. Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.
This is the Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 119:9-16
Left:
How can a young person stay on the path
of purity?
By living according to your word.
Right: I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
Left: I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Right: Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees. ...
Psalm 119 cont.
Left:
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
Right: I rejoice in following your edicts
as one rejoices in great riches.
Left: I meditate on your commandments
and consider your ways.
Right: I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. #
Hold slide for first verse of song. Sr Rochelle Lamb fma, Fr Guy Riolo sdb, Claudine Rule(age 9)
Father Bosco, the
young priest, needed
many, many reliable and
long-term helpers to stay
with him, to help him fulfil that magnetic Dream
of caring for the young and the poor. Can you
dare to dream Don Bosco’s Dream? ... as a
Salesian priest, brother or sister?
A reading from the Gospel of John
[1:36-39 ]
On the following day as John the Baptist stood
there again with two of his disciples, Jesus passed,
and John stared at him and said, ‘Look, there is the
lamb of God’. Hearing this, the two disciples
followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them
following him and said, ‘What are you looking for?’
They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher –
‘Where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so
they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with
him the rest of that day. #
From the Rector Major
for 2011
... And he invites them to share the experience of
being with him: “Come and see”. They will have
experienced something immensely beautiful from the
moment they and they remained with him”
We are called to make Don Bosco’s early ministry
experience our own; to create a family environment of
great spiritual worth, one of apostolic involvement and
spiritual accompaniment which is sustained by intense
love for the Church and the world ... where we can
show the beauty, the appropriateness of our Salesian
vocation for today and its variety: a life completely
given to God in the service of the young is well worth
living. #
From the age of nine, young
John was given a guide who
would be with him as his
vocation and ministry grew.
What ‘guides’ could you
find useful in your ongoing
spiritual growth?
Try out a Christian youth group? A confessor?
Regular spiritual reading? Train as a catechist?
Attend a Lenten programme? Join a Salesian Cooperator group? Attend Mass frequently?
[Take time to think...]
Don Bosco wants to
strengthen us in our resolve
to overcome sinfulness and
temptation.
In prayerful silence, share with
our healer of souls, habits
that are preventing you from
being an authentic follower of
Jesus.
Listen in the Spirit, if this
insightful confessor has some
advice for you.
[Quiet time...]
Don Bosco’s dream of the two pillars reminds
us of the importance of placing the Eucharist
and Mary as key pillars of spiritual strength in
our lives.
We, the church, represented by the ship, will
always find safe anchorage
between these supports, these
two precious gifts from God.
Pray with gratitude, for what
you appreciate about your
church community gathered
here today. [Quiet moment...]
As a young person, I
appreciate reliable friends
who will support me
through adolescence and
just ‘be there’ for me.
I thank God now for my
parents, teachers, coaches,
and good friends.
Reflect on one important
need you expect from these
friends. [Evaluation time...]
To be in the presence of
God was Don Bosco’s
strength.
In stillness, allow yourself
to experience God’s
presence.
[Contemplation time...]
The Statue-Relic
contains Don Bosco’s
arm, the arm that
blesses and the hand
- his presence - that
rests in affection, on
each of our heads.
Consider in silent
contemplation the
blessings that Don
Bosco has brought to [Prayerful reflection...]
you personally:
What blessings will Don
Bosco bring with him as
he visits our community
this week?
[Wonder & hope...]
Young or not-so-young, we are all called to
be saints. Life in God’s presence, now and
forever, brings joy, peace, wisdom and
understanding. We probably all know ‘living
saints’, people who genuinely love and care in
all they do. People who take those extra steps
of commitment and generosity.
It may be hard to give
our lives as totally as St
John Bosco, but we must
all desire to be saints
(even with a small ‘s’).
Young John Bosco, at the age of nine,
had a dream which was to guide his future.
God calls us all to serve him. God is
calling each of you to stay with Don Bosco
and stay with Jesus in some way.
Consider the direction of your Christian
vocation as you watch this video of John’s
dream.
What is God’s dream for you? What is your dream?
Song follows silent introduction. Sr Rochelle , Fr Guy, visuals by Claudine Rule (age 9)
As a young boy, Johnny Bosco instinctively became
a leader among his peers. He entertained children,
he was a gifted story-teller and he also taught them
what he learnt from the priests’ homilies, he
tutored them in schoolwork, he formed a group of
boys who would cheerfully encourage each other in
virtue.
He showed them strength in
games and also strength in
character. He would put on shows
of his skills as a juggler, magician
and acrobat - with prayers before
and after the performance.
For the Salesian Family:
All - May the spirit of Don Bosco among us be
rekindled into a fire that burns for love of God and
love for the young.
For the staff and students in our schools:
All - May staff guide the young in the ways of
the Good Shepherd. May the pupils,
especially those in new leadership roles, look
to Jesus as their true Teacher.
For all of us who are Baptised:
All - May we courageously deepen our
commitment to Christ - to flee from sin and
treasure the faith of the Church.
For the young:
All - May the youth of Australia be ready to
accept Christ's call to follow Him in
courageous and generous ways, active in His
Church community.
For the lay leaders of our parishes:
All - May they lead God’s people with
courage and fearlessness, open to ‘the
signs of the times’ and trusting in the Holy
Spirit of Pentecost.
For married couples present today:
All - As the ‘living bricks’ of the Church, may
their families be ‘small Christian
communities’ celebrating as vital parts of the
living body of Christ, each using their various
gifts constructing the kingdom of God.
For the Salesian Sisters:
- May Don Bosco’s Vision for the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians blossom through
perseverance and generosity.
For our young Salesians training to be
Brothers and Priests:
- May they grow ever-more in understanding
and living Don Bosco’s Reason, Religion and
Loving-kindness.
For the Parents of the young:
- May they find, in Don Bosco’s Preventive
System, a Christ-centred way of journeying
with their children.
For our Salesian Bishop and Priests:
- May our pastors come to know Don Bosco
more intimately so as to grow more like him
each day.
My dearest son,
A Letter from Don Bosco to Stephen Rosetti,
First Rhetoric Class. July 25, 1860
Your letter was a delight because it showed that you correctly understand
my feelings for you.
Yes , son, I love you with all my heart , and my love prompts me to do all I
can to make you grow in knowledge and piety, and guide you to heaven.
Keep in mind the many suggestions I gave you at various times. Be cheerful,
but let your cheerfulness be genuine, stemming from a conscience free from
sin. Study to become very rich , but rich in virtue, because the greatest of all
treasures is the holy fear of God. Shun bad companions, associate with good
ones. Place yourself in your pastor’s hands and follow his advice. All will then
go well with you .
Remember me to your parents and pray for me.
While God wills that we be far from each other,
I beg Him to keep you in His grace until we shall
be together again.
Affectionately yours
Fr John Bosco
You were the light in the dark for the young
who could not see.
And you were a spark for the young to become
all they could be.
Help us all come to be all God calls us to be.
We will send the message. We will be the
witnesses that you, Don Bosco, are the friend
of the young and the poor. Lead us safely
through the storm to the heavenly shore.
You felt the fire in the heart of the Lord who
burns with love.
And you touched the heart of the young with
that fire from above.
Touch our hearts with that fire, make our God
our desire.
We will send the message. We will be the
witnesses that you, Don Bosco, are the friend
of the young and the poor. Lead us safely
through the storm to the heavenly shore.
You showed the young they were called to the
service of their Lord.
You taught them to walk in the light and the
power of His Word.
Help us walk in that light, make His Word our
delight.
We will send the message. We will be the
witnesses that you, Don Bosco, are the friend
of the young and the poor. Lead us safely
through the storm to the heavenly shore.
Fr Stephen Schenck sdb
The father to so many
people was dying. When
Bishop Cagliero entered
the saint’s bedroom,
Fr Rua passed the stole to him, and moved over
to Don Bosco’s right hand side: he bent down to
whisper into the beloved Father’s ear, and with a
voice choked by grief said, “Don Bosco, we, your
sons are here.
We beg you to forgive us for all
that we have caused you to
suffer and to give us your
blessing once again as a token of your forgiveness
and your paternal benevolence. I will guide your
hand and pronounce the blessing formula.” All
bowed their heads. With a heavy heart, Fr Rua
lifted the paralysed hand, pronounced the blessing
over the Salesians present and absent, and
especially those who were the farthest away.
[Blessing by priest]
1. ‘Celebrate’ – song with 5 slides displaying lyrics.
the young, he taught to fly
Children of the earth, they touch the sky
Celebrate the God that they learned to love
As they talked with him, as they walked with
him.
Celebrate the man who gave them wings
And the joy that faithful living brings
Celebrate the dream that they dared to dream
Dreams they heard from him, in a word with
him.
We don’t want to walk! We want to fly!
Reaching with Don Bosco for the sky
We will take the torch, we will pass it on
We will let the dream live on and on.
Celebrate his work across the earth
Teaching every girl and boy their worth
Celebrate his stand and his firm demand
To respect the young, to protect the young.
Celebrate the family that has grown
Like a tree from seed, his hand has sown
Celebrate his heart! It’s the finest part
Of the rest of us, it’s the best of us.
We don’t want to walk! We want to fly!
Reaching with Don Bosco for the sky
We will take the torch, we will pass it on
We will let the dream live on and on.
It’s a gift that God has given us and given to
the world
With a burden, though, for all who have
received
We will do just as he would do
If we believe, as he believed.
Celebrate the man whose one desire
Was to love the young and light a fire
Celebrate the flame, let it burn the same
In our hearts today, each and every day.
We don’t want to walk! We want to fly!
Reaching with Don Bosco for the sky
We will take the torch, we will pass it on
We will let the dream live on and on.
We don’t want to walk! We want to fly!
Reaching with Don Bosco for the sky
We will take the torch, we will pass it on
We will let the dream live on and on.
Fr Stephen Schenck sdb