Unexpected Encounter
Homily on Wednesday, 30th Week in OT; Memorial of Bl. Michael Rua, 29 October 2025, DBPH Chapel, Talamban
Last night, I met a certain man named Andrew. He was waiting to board his flight to Manila, while I, for Cebu. He was enjoying a can of flavoured beer, while I, a cup of freshly brewed coffee. He asked what brought me to Bacolod. I replied that I came for an event. “For Maskara Festival” he asked? “No,” I replied, “for a different one; a celebration involving religious priests and brothers.”
When he learned that I was a priest, he was suddenly apologetic saying “I’m sorry, Father, I did not recognize you.” But when he came to know I was from Don Bosco Mandaluyong, he suddenly verbalized all his envy. He was actually from “A School”. Tapos, sabi nya “Inggit na inggit ako sa inyong mga Bosconians, kasi natuto kayong mag-gitara, mag-drums, at tinuruan din kayo ng Electronics. Ang gagaling nyo tumugtog sa banda, at ang gagaling nyo ring gumamit ng soldering pen. Kami sa “A School”, puro theoretical lang ang itinuro sa amin sa loob ng classroom.
And he added, “Looking back, I realized kaming mga naka-uniform na polo, hanggang porma lang pala nuon. Pero kayong mga naka-T-shirt lang na uniform… naku… nakakainggit talaga kayo!”
Meanwhile, I kept grinning and laughing to myself while hearing his words of lament, envy and regret. To add insult to injury, I even told him “Di ba, we were mortal enemies at that time?” “Oh yes, he butted in. “From up in the hill we were looking down on you na mga taga-Kalentong Street. Pero ngayon, grabe, inggit na inggit ako sa inyo!” End of the “feel good” sharing!
Today I am grateful to God for having blessed me with 60 years in my life with all the significantly good and awesome persons I’ve met, including you, my dear confreres, daily Mass goers, our staff and our friends. Moreover, I thank Him for having made me a Christian, a Bosconian, and a Salesian. (For those among you who were not Bosconians, don’t feel envious, anyway by now, you are all members of the Salesian Family.)
This day is, however, made even more special because of Blessed Michael Rua who was beatified on this day in 1972 (unfortunately, it looks like the congregation has forgotten to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his beatification three years ago.)
Yes, exactly fifty-three years ago, on this day the first successor of Don Bosco and first Rector Major of the Salesians was beatified by Pope Paul VI. His name is Fr Michael Rua or in Italian he was called Don Michele Rua. Although he was not the first in the Salesian Family after Don Bosco to be declared blessed, his beatification manifests even today that holiness runs in our family.
Don Rua was born in a poor neighborhood in the outskirts of Turn. He was the youngest of nine children. He lost his father when he was only eight years old and later also two other elder brothers. After their deaths he thought he was going to be the next bread winner of the family. But God had other plans.
When he was ten years old he unexpectedly met Don Bosco. And from that day onwards, his life’s direction took a different turn. For he would soon become a Salesian priest and the right hand of Don Bosco in the foundation of the Society of St Francis de Sales (or more popularly known as the Salesians of DB). Michele, when he first met DB, knew little what his future was going to be. But when he allowed himself to be guided by this saintly father and teacher of youth, he soon discovered his vocation and mission in life, and for that matter he generously and selflessly offered his life to Jesus following the footsteps of Don Bosco.
Fast forward, when Don Rua was a young priest, he fulfilled his ministry with pastoral zeal and became over-loaded with work that one day he got afflicted with a serious illness and was at the brink of death. But Don Bosco told him not to worry at all because he would live for many more years in order to complete his specific mission from God. The following week he miraculously got well. And he lived for many more years as Don Bosco said.
When Don Bosco died, Don Rua became the Rector Major to succeed Don Bosco. He continued Don Bosco’s mission for the good of the poorest and most abandoned youth. With Don Rua’s leadership, the Salesian charism was preserved, and the Salesian work expanded towards many other countries. In fact after Don Bosco’s death the number of Salesians rapidly increased beyond proportions. At his death in 1910, the Salesians increased significantly from 773 to 4,000. The number of Salesian communities also increased from 57 to 345; the Provinces also increased from 6 to 34 Provinces in a total of 33 countries around the world. By God’s amazing grace and the strength that came from the Spirit, Don Michele Rua led the Salesians and the worldwide Salesian Family to win the hearts of countless young people to the Good Shepherd, transforming wolves to gentle lambs and sheep. Later eventually the sheep turned into shepherds after the heart of Christ.
Brothers and sisters, may this Eucharist inspire us and move us to discover and fulfil God’s dream in our lives; to be holy and to make others holy, esp. the young entrusted to our care. Kindly pray also for me and our Salesian Communities here in FIS that, like Bl Michael Rua we may continue to win many more young people for Christ. GiGsss!
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