by Fr. Anthony Kishore Minj, SDB

Preparations started from the day when the visit was announced, about nine months ago, and now that his arrival is imminent, the Salesian community of Ulaanbaatar, together with students and teachers, are at work to give to the visit a typically Mongolian taste.

Tomorrow, when Fr. Á.F. Artime will go from the airport to Salesian house of Ulaanbaatar, he will be given a traditional Mongolian welcome, with the presentation of a Hatag (a blue scarf) and some mares’ fermented milk. Then he will be accompanied to the Ger (the traditional Mongolian house), expressly prepared for him.

A ger is made with wood and sheep wool and keeps the house warm also in the rigid winters of Mongolia. It generally has a round shape and is supported with two to eight artistically decorated wooden pillars; it has an opening at the centre of the roof, to let out the smoke of the stove that is lit day and night and keeps the house warm and comfortable. Around the ger, for safety reasons, there is always an enclosure and often also a dog.

According to traditions, only the head of the household can sleep on the bed, whereas the other members of the family sleep on the floor. Besides, being a traditionally patriarchal society, great honours are bestowed on the head of the family; the Rector Major, as a distinguished guest, will be given the same attention and honours as the head of the household.

Finally, when on Sunday morning the Rector Major will arrive in Darkhan, he will wear the Dale, a traditional dress, and will ride a typical camel of the region.

The Provincial Delegate for Mongolia, Fr. Paul Leung, has thanked in advance the Rector Major for the joy he will bring to the Mongolian people: “A warm welcome to you, dear Fr. Ángel, our beloved Rector Major”.

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