Don Bosco Philippines South Province

In a span of 9 days, the Social Communication Office hosted the students and teachers from St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Vancouver, Canada, for a cultural and pastoral immersion. From the 12^th of March to the 20^th, 20 students, 3 teachers, and 1 chaplain toured Cebu city and Bohol and their historical places and immersed themselves in the pastoral works of different religious congregations.

Upon arrival, the group was received during a welcome program by the Salesian community of Don Bosco Formation Center in Lawaan. It introduced them to the warmth and smiles of the Filipino people which turned out to be the common sight during their entire stay. The cultural tour in Cebu city and Bohol gave them a taste of the beauty of the Philippines, prompting several of them to make a resolution of returning with their families for a longer stay in the future.

The core of their travel was the immersion in the different ministries of 4 religious congregations. Don Bosco Boys’ Home, Pasil, Lourdes Parish and Mary our Help school showed them the extensive works of the Salesians for underprivileged youth. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows gave the visitors an opportunity to experience the wisdom of the elderly while the Missionaries of Charity allowed the students to spend some time with orphan babies which brought tears to some of them. The Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries presented during a talk the challenging work of serving and saving girls from the dangers of exploitation.

The goal of the entire trip was to open the eyes and minds of these students to the harsh yet beautiful realities of the world. Bringing with them at the beginning of their trip the theme “Inspire and Be Inspired”, the group achieved what they have come to accomplish of inspiring and being inspired in return, determined to view life in a new perspective.