The Salesians of Don Bosco are celebrating tomorrow their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary with a mass at Gumbo parish, in the outskirts of Juba.
Fr. John Bosco started the Salesian Family on December 18 1859, in Turin, Northern Italy, with 17 companions, four priests and 14 seminarians, calling it the Congregation of St. Francis of Sales.James Pulickal is a Salesian father from India stationed at Gumbo community, near Juba. He told SCR News that the celebration is an important moment to renew the commitment of his Institute.
Fr. Pulickal said Don Bosco and his congregation gave a huge boost to the renewal of the church, especially the youth.
He added that the methodology of Don Bosco consisted in a simple principle: make yourself loved.
The Salesians of Don Bosco have over 16 thousand members and 1 384 work in Africa.
In the Sudan, they are over 20 in the two communities of Khartoum, El Obeid, Wau, Tonj and Gumbo, in Juba. In July 2010 they will open in Maridi, Western Equatoria.
They work in parishes, schools, youth centres and a vocational training centre. Very soon they will have on air Don Bosco FM in Tonj.
Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro will preside over tomorrow’s mass of thanksgiving in Gumbo parish at 10:30 AM.