Ordisha, Jharsuguda, Dec. 2, 2018: Don Bosco Yuvva Kendra organized ‘Oratory Day and Pre-Christmas Celebration on 2nd of December 2018 at 11.45 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Fr. Linus welcomed boys and girls numbering about 150. At the outset there was a prayer service. It was followed by numerous fun-filled and thrilling games, various competition – Christmas Carol singing, dance, action songs and slogans. All the participants were served refreshments and the prizes were distributed at the end of the programme. Discipline was the hallmark of the day, everyone followed the instructions and functions went on well. The climax of the day was the DJ dance.
The Oratory for Salesians builds upon strong foundations inspired by the teaching of St. Philip Neri who believed that, ‘cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.’
Salesians are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and happy innovative learning environment based upon the living tradition of the Catholic Church; drawing upon current educational thinking. Through oratory programme all children are helped to achieve their full potential: spiritually, academically, emotionally and socially.
Don Bosco had the uncanny knack to bring spirituality and holiness on the playground. Through his own struggle and experience in youth work during the time of the industrial revolution in the early eighteenth century, Don Bosco felt the powerful need of mixing faith with real life struggles to build ones personality. Promoting the Oratory as he began his mission for the youth, Don Bosco had to make do with any space available for all his activities: recreational and religious. In his educative method of the Preventive System, built on the three pillars of: ‘Reason, Religion and loving Kindness’, Don Bosco was keen to find a healthy blend of value, spirituality and recreation. He ensured that every Salesian house would first have a space where the youngster could run, jump and play, and every effort spared to put away Sin.