Wednesday, January 31, 2024

St. John Bosco's Feast Day is usually celebrated through a memorable event that brings the parish community together, culminating in a grand celebration with the Irvine Symphony. But leading up to the main celebration, participants had the opportunity to experience a series of spiritual sessions focused on deepening their understanding of St. John Bosco and his Salesian legacy.

Participants were introduced to the Salesian family, learning about St. John Bosco's life, story, and teachings. They explored the core principles that Bosco emphasized, including loving kindness, reason, and religion, which were central to his educational approach. The sessions provided valuable insights into Bosco's mission to guide and support young people through a balanced combination of love, logic, and faith.

As part of the learning process, participants worked together to create a quadrant portrait that illustrated the key aspects of Bosco's teachings along with the Rector Major’s Strenna of 2024: From Wolves to Lambs. This collaborative activity helped solidify their understanding of the principles of loving kindness, reason, and religion, and how they applied to the Preventive System—Bosco’s educational method, which focused on preventing problems rather than punishing them. The participants reflected on how these teachings can be applied in their own lives and communities. Which was placed at the altar during the mass celebration as a gift to Don Bosco's legacy. The day concluded with the celebration of Mass, where the participants were invited to sing in the choir.

The event provided a meaningful opportunity for spiritual reflection and learning, setting the stage for the vibrant Feast Day celebration with the Irvine Symphony, where the community came together to honor St. John Bosco’s legacy of faith, education, and care for young people. Where ADMA-Y participants volunteered to greet guests and serve warm drinks and sweet bread after the event.