The Fifth Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Province of Eastern Africa - AFE
May 26th 2010 Nairobi, Kenya the fifth Provincial Chapter of the Province of Eastern Africa began with a hymn to the Holy Spirit followed by the welcome words from the provincial Fr. Joseph Pulikkal after which the Moderator Fr. Gianni Rolandi gave the introductory talk. After the introductory talk the regulations of the chapter were read and passed by the assembly. This was followed by the election of the secretary. From there after a few remarks about the liturgy the whole group moved to the chapel from the chapter hall for a recollection preached by His Lordship Bishop Paul Kariuki in whose house the salesians have a secondary and technical school. In his talk he insisted on the importance of the nature on which every priest should build grace. He said that, we as men of God must avoid wrong doing even the appearance of wrong doing. He spoke of the importance of reading and prayer in the lives of priests. After Supper the official opening ceremony took place. In the dim light the map of Africa which was drawn on the floor of the chapter hall was lit by a series of lights at the border. In it the map of eastern Africa, the geographical area of AFE was highlighted and a Pascal candle was placed at the bottom of the map and many small candles were placed where the houses are situated. At the beginning a hymn to Don Bosco was sung and the Provincial lit the Pascal Candle. After this a three minute video feature on every house was played on big screen and when the house’s name appeared on the screen the video was paused and the rector of that house came forward and lit the candle. Though it took a rather long time it was also interesting as it had the reality (activities) of the house, interviews from the rector and the future expectation for the house. After all the house had finished lighting the candle together with the video presentation the whole group of chapter members stood around the map of Africa that was on the floor and sang the hymn, “Bind us together Lord.” The ceremony was an occasion to take a look at every house before the chapter members would start discussions and making polices and decisions that would affect the houses and the province as a whole. And thus the provincial chapter was officially opened. There are 56 members present including the observers. more