Friday 13th May was a day of great celebration for the community and for Salesian College Farnborough. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo SDB, archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar (Burma), found time to visit us during an intense programme of events in the UK.

Arriving by train from London after an early morning meeting with Hugo Swire, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he went first to St John Bosco House, where he spoke to community members and was photographed with them.

He was then taken on a tour of the College and at 11.45 he celebrated the Mass of Mary Help of Christians (anticipated because of examinations) for students, staff and visitors in the College Hall. Seven members of the community concelebrated, including Fr Gerry Briody, and they were joined by Fr Joe Brown and Fr Dominic who was accompanying the Cardinal on his journey. A further five community members were in the congregation.

Sixth formers who had taken part in the HCPT pilgrimage at Easter played a prominent part in the liturgy, wearing their Lourdes hoodies, sharing their experiences and adding to the joyful atmosphere by leading the hymns. The Cardinal gave an inspiring homily in which he reflected on the situation of the Church in Burma and the dangers facing young people, ending with "May we all be miracle workers in our life by moving from what we are doing towards what we can do."

After Mass the Cardinal joined the invited guests for a buffet lunch before returning to London for a meeting with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, archbishop of Westminster, and an evening talk at St Joseph's parish church in New Malden.

Fr Patrick Sherlock SDB, College Chaplain