The children of our apostolic schools of Nazareth pray for the 8 Salesians of Don Bosco and a sister FMA, who rest in the SDB and FMA cemetery, next to the soccer field where 170 boys play daily.
On the last day of the seminar of the EAO Salesian Family (20 August), the 30 participants prayed and learned about an exceptional figure in the 80-year history of Burma: Fr. Fortunato Giacomin, SDB.
On this occasion the vice-provincial of MYM, Fr Bosco Nyi Nyi read the testimony of Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon: "My father died when I was two years old (like Don Bosco). With the kind, loving intervention and support of our pastor Monhla, Fr Luwee, three of us brothers were admitted to the Mandalay Lafon boarding house, run by the Salesians.We had the privilege of being educated by the Salesians: in addition to food and shelter, education was offered free.I lived for four years with 150 boys in the warm family environment of the Salesians. Fr Giacomin was the Rector, a father for us. Strict with rules and discipline, but with the warm heart of a father I saw Don Bosco in him.
Fr Giacomin was the last to go to bed, only after checking that the boys were asleep and well covered, especially during the winter. The recess and the recreation always saw him together with us boys. Always available in the office, whenever we ran to him. For my birthday, October 29, and the holiday of November 4, he would give me a holy picture or a medal.
Before night prayers we would gather about him to listen to the life and dreams of Don Bosco. He had a very tender heart towards the poor, the orphans and the boys of the village; he did not tolerate those who grumbled, stole.
When the military general Ne Win, planning a socialist Myanmar, nationalized schools, hospitals, banks and private enterprises in 1965-66, the Salesian Congregation also suffered a crisis. Foreign missionaries, university graduates and those who had arrived after the Second World War were expelled. Fr Giacomin, providentially, had perfected himself with an individual study. So he could stay in the country! Many Salesians, especially the lay brothers and clerics, left the Congregation or joined the diocesan seminaries. Fr Giacomin remained, not only to live but also to die in the
