Hymn of Charity by Don Orione

THE WORK OF THE ORATORIOS

The work of the Oratories Today: The concept of the Oratorio was born and developed in Italy and has a long tradition. Many saints including Don Orione have given importance to oratorio. The work of oratoris, or Sunday schools or boys clubs are called not only to be limited to the place where our congregation are grown.

Oratories in Latin America: In the religious province our lady of La Guardia in Latin America, may communities have oratories. Priest or religious brother takes the spiritual director place. Common activities of Oratorio are human, religious and liturgical formation. Human means human values like friendship, sports etc. the devotion to St. Luigi Orione. Other activities can be visiting clients of Cottolengo, joining artwork and seminars, or being part of the church choir. A survey among the members of the oratorio said “to part of oratorio is to have second home.”

Oratorios in Asia: The Children of the oratorio San Lorenzo in Philippines said in a survey that “to be part of oratorio is like a family.”  They have become respectful children and youth. 

Oratorios as an essential dimension of the Orionine youth apostolate

Don Orione gave a lot of importance to the Oratorios. Luigi Orione himself was formed in an oratorio, being a student of Don Bosco in Turin. The festive oratorio is our blessed nest. The festive oratorios are still the health of society. Each much have its own festive oratorio.  The little work arose from oratorio. Salvation of all the youth of the entire world will come about not by colleges but Oratorios.

Humble beginnings: You can begin in a small courtyard and small room. Very soon a new people will join the oratorio. Discipline is necessary: Priest/brother is should have humble, fatherly and elder brotherly love. One should Praise in general and should not do any partiality among the members. Method of  Don Orione’s teaching method is “Christian fatherly method.” To become young with the young.

Documents

Oratorio and youth center have very important role in constitution norms; c#120, N#109. Documents of the church; Orione’s projects are vocation for youth.

Pastoral Recommendations

Each religious member in the community should have a role in Oratorio. Oratorio is to insert the project or schedule accordance with the diocese youth ministry. Oratorio is fertile ground for oratorio. 

(Summary of the Talk given by  Fr. Martin Mroz fdp at Don Orione Theologicum Kenya)

The Perpetual Vows of Our Brothers

In filipino language, there a common used expression; "walang forever". it means that there is no forever. This expression leads me to reflect on the perpetual vows of our seven brothers of The Sons of Divine Providence. They recently have said "yes" to the Lord "forever" by hoping to follow more closely the foot steps of Don Orione in journey towards God.



The celebration was taken place in Kandisi parish under the care of The sons of Divine Providence. The main celebrant was fr. Peter fdp regional superior. Delegate superior Rev. fr. Marcelo fdp was also present. fr. Malcolm, fr. Njenga, fr. Arnaud and fr. Jeremiah were very much present and behind the success of the ceremony. Br. Augustus, Br. Joseph, Br. Thomas, Br. Paul, Br. Dennis, Br. Arvind and Br. Jackson have said "Yes" perpetually to the Lord by entering into the Orionine family.

This is amazing to see how God works on these brothers by showing blessings and Grace on them. It is a joy and happiness to see the people walking on the Lord's path. we orione theologicum would like to congratulate them by using the word of our founder (saint Luigi Orione): "DO GOOD ALWAYS, GOO TO ALL AND HARM NO ONE."

Author: Br. John Carl Volente, Fdp

Second Year Theology

80 years Birthday of St. Luigi Orione in Heaven

Saint Luigi Orione was born in Piedmont, Northern Italy, at Pontecurone, a village near Tortona on 23rd June 1872. The young Luigi felt he wanted to be a priest and joined the Franciscans, but had to leave due to ill health. He was welcomed by St. John Bosco, but left the Salesians after a few years to become a seminarian in his own Diocese of Tortona. Don Orione loved everybody; but the poor, the young, the elderly, the sick and people with disabilities were his special friends.

He died in Italy on 12th March 1940 after sending a loving message to the Pope: His last words were: "Jesus.. Jesus.. Jesus." His body is incorrupt and can be venerated in Tortona. He was beatified in Rome on 26th October 1980 by Pope John Paul II. The same Pope declared him a Saint on 16th May 2004.

The ideal of Don Orione's life was to live and to die for the spiritual welfare of people, serving Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother Church and its head, the Pope. His motto was, "Do good always, to all, evil to none". This year as we orionines celebrate His 80 years of Birthday in heaven, His life encourages us to follow very closely his motto "Do good always, to all, evil to none."







Author: Br. George Fernandes, Fdp

Second Year Theology