25 Years of Living Don Bosco’s Dream in Myanmar

Celebration of the 25th ANNIVERSARY of the re-opening of the FMA presence in Myanmar

23 February 2019

The festivities for the 25th anniversary of the re-opening of the FMA presence in Myanmar began at 8.30 in the morning with the inauguration of the exhibit which was opened with the cutting of ribbon in the presence of Archbishop Nicholas Mang Thang, Sr. Phyllis Neves – General Councillor representing Mother Yvonne Reugoat and Sr. Jessica Salvaña, CMY Provincial. The exhibit presents the history of the presence of the FMA in Myanmar. It is then followed by the celebration of the Eucharist as a sign of praise and gratitude to God for the marvelous things He has realized in the FMA communities in these past years, thanks to His providential care.

Guests of honor such as Sr. Phyllis Neves, Visiting Councillor for CMY Province, the  missionaries who worked in Myanmar during its difficult times: Sr. Lina Chiandotto (Italian), Sr. Giovanna Penello (Italian) and Sr. Gertrudes Ditching (Filipino), the ex-Provincial of Myanmar, Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel from India, Provincial Council and Animators of Cambodia. The Archbishop of Mandalay Mons. Nicholas Mang Thang presided the Holy Mass together with Fr. Charles Saw Thin Han Lwin (Provincial Delegate of the Salesian in Myanmar) a good number of Salesians and other priests coming from different Dioceses were united in the celebration of the Eucharist.

During his homily Archbishop Nicholas expressed his appreciation for what the FMA have done in the field of education in Myanmar. He has underscored all the work that the Sisters were able to carry out  and continue to do for the good of the young especially those who are disadvantaged in Myanmar with lasting and good results. In the celebration of the Eucharist some of the Sisters friends and benefactors coming from abroad (Japan and Singapore) and within Myanmar, three FMA Sisters from Thailand, Past Pupils and parents of the Sisters and religious from other Congregations in Myanmar and the educating communities of the different FMA presences in Myanmar joined the Myanmar Sisters in order to celebrate this joyful event.

The Eucharist celebration concluded with the wishes of Fr. Charles Saw who recounted the experience of Sr. Mary Myint in its beginnings of the re-opening of the FMA presence. Sr. Jessica Salvaña, Provincial, from her part expressed her words of gratitude to those who participated in the event.

The feast was continued with a well-prepared program which is a brief presentation, in the style of short dialogue interspersed with dances and choreographed songs, on the history of the presence and mission of the FMA in Myanmar starting from their arrival in 1961 until today. At the heart of the program was the arrival of the first Sisters and Salesian priests in Myanmar.

The program was a fruit of the preparations of the different educating communities of the 5 houses. 

In the beginning of the program Sr. Jessica handed over the jubilee plaques to the local authorities, religious, benefactors, supporters and friends of the Sisters who in one way or another have sustained the FMAs’ educative mission in Myanmar in these 25 years.

Within the program Sr. Phyllis Neves addressed her message to the assembly expressing also the greetings of Mother Yvonne Reungoat on this blessed occasion. Moreover, she has taken as a point of reflection in her message what our benefactors from ACTS – Singapore have expressed regarding the joy of being with and working with the FMA who are always welcoming and joyful.

The celebration ended with a sumptuous lunch lovingly prepared by the Sisters and their collaborators. It was truly a meaningful and beautiful feast where everyone enjoyed each other’s company and lived in a true climate of joy and spontaneity typical of the Salesian family spirit.