This is Home.

A post from your Pre-Novices:

There's something about going home that somehow brings things into perspective. Home--a place of security, a place of rest, a place of community, a place of God. "Home" can mean many things to different persons. To us, this word may have meant many things before; but, as of yesterday, this world took on a whole new meaning.

We had the opportunity of visiting the birthplace of our Salesianity here in the Eastern province, our very roots--Mary Help of Christians Church, New York, NY.  We participated in a Sunday Mass so very alive with the mission of Don Bosco, in a church that has since been closed down. The echoes of history of youthful spirituality and Christian formation journey from wall to wall.

It was a privilege not only to sing along "Friend of the Young and the Poor" to the old organ there but also to dedicate our year to Mary, our Mother and Help of Christians, there at the altar. It was a beautiful experience that can hardly be explained in words!

It is our hope that the roots of Salesianity can take hold of our hearts and remain a firm foundation, a foundation that can't be closed or torn down. May our very bodies become the church, the temple of the Holy Spirit.  And may all that is within us forever praise the God who loved us into existence and continues to love us forever.

Finally, we urge all those that have not had the opportunity to visit or pray at our first true Salesian parish east of the Mississippi River to do so, as the church is officially scheduled to have her last Holy Mass on September 9th.

To Christ Through Mary,

Your Salesian Pre-Novices

And...cue the trumpets!

Happy Feast Day, bloggers everywhere!

You may or may not know this...BUT...today is a hugely important day for the Salesians of Don Bosco. Why, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you: It all started at the age of 9.


For you regulars, here's the part where you may say: "O here we go..."
For you not so regulars, you may wish to say: "Hm, I could use a little refresh..."
For you irregulars, you may say: "Go on..."
And for you elderly, you may say: "Ah to be 9..."

Whatever your response may be, let's continue...

When John Bosco was only 9 years old, he had a dream that would stick with him for the rest of his life and guide him throughout his ministry with the young and the poor.  And in this dream, both Jesus and Mary appeared to him. (If you don't know this dream, check out the story here...it's really important to the founding of the Salesians.)  One thing that is important is that the Blessed Mother, She whom John Bosco's mother taught him to greet three times a day, remained with John Bosco throughout his life. And this relationship grew stronger.

Through this, his devotion to Mary, the Help of Christians, arose. (Check out the story behind Mary, Help of Christians here!)  And the Blessed Mother, particularly under this title, became so important that not only did he entitle his basilica with this title...but he crowned her under this title as the Patroness of the Salesian Family. So, long story short, today is incredibly important!


So, today, I challenge all of us, including myself, to increase our devotion to Mary, who is the Help of Christians.


Pray to her,  call out to her,  cry with her,  laugh with her,  walk with her,  live with her,  and die with her...that you might live with her for all eternity. 



Dear Mother Mary, ever-Virgin, help us to save our souls...