Vocations mark Salesian centenary celebrations

The Salesians have been blessed with vocations during the centenary anniversary of their presence in Malta.

Two brothers, Eric Cachia and Louis Grech, entered into their perpetual vocation as Salesians of Don Bosco last week at St Sebastian church, in Qormi.

During the ceremony, the candidates were questioned by the provincial delegate on the nature of their request to join the Salesian society.

The climax of the ceremony was the reading out of the formula of profession.

Both Br Eric and Br Louis undertook their secondary education at Savio College, where they first experienced the richness of Don Bosco's mission among youths. It was at the college that they started to be actively involved in youth work.

The brothers did their novitiate in Rome at the end of which they entered into their vocation. They graduated from the University of Malta and did their two years of practical training at the Salesian Oratory and Savio College. At present, they are studying theology at the Salesian University, in Rome. During the centenary year, Fr Jesmond Apap was ordained deacon in Rome and will be following a post-graduate degree in pastoral theology in Dublin next year.

Tomorrow, Br Gerald Mangion and Br Jeremy Vella are entering into their vocation, after completing a year of novitiate in Turin. The ceremony is being held at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, in Turin, built by St John Bosco himself, and is being attended by a group of Maltese Salesians and family members.

Br Manuel Camilleri, of Vittoriosa, a late vocation in his early 40s, has renewed his vows and is starting theology in Rome, while two novices, Clive Mifsud, of Birzebbuga, and Joseph Bugeja, of Victoria, leave for Turin on Sunday to start their novitiate.

The Salesians were founded by St John Bosco in Italy to cater for poor and deprived boys.

They hold regular meetings and activities for those who wishto learn about them. For more information, contact the vocation promoter at Savio College on tel. 2145 4546.