“Holiness Outbreak: Bring back the WORD to the WORLD!” was the theme of Bosco Camp 2015, held on April 9 - 12 in Mary Help of Christians College Canlubang (MHCC - Can) to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Saint John Bosco.
Day 1 of the camp started with an Opening Eucharistic Celebration. Bishop Buenaventura Famadico, bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna, celebrated the Holy Mass. Mary Help of Christians School Mabalacat (MHCS - Mab) animated the liturgy assisted by the choir and instrumentalists of MHCC - Can.

After the Holy Mass, Fr. Eli Cruz, SDB talked about the key points on the Synod on family, thus, entering the Becchi experience. Don Bosco’s first 15 years happened in Becchi. His life there became the basis for his personality, the kind of person and Christian he is and his basic choices and spirituality. He was molded by his family, especially by his mother, Mama Margaret who entered early widowhood when Don Bosco was only two years old.

Under Mama Margaret’s guidance, little Johny learned to welcome the negative aspects of his character, channel his energies, discovered his resources and develop his sense of vitality. From her, John learned balanced and moderation, courage in his choices, tenacity and perseverance.

In Fr. Eli’s talk about family, he said that 80% of Asian teenagers regard relationship with family as highest in importance. He also added that the greatest satisfaction of Filipino teenagers is the way they get along with their parents. He pointed out 2 things: 1) Family is where life begins and 2) where love never ends. Fr. Eli also mentioned that overpopulation is just a myth and even showed statistical data to prove his stand.

After the talk, the campers went to their respective campsites. They were oriented by their team leaders and facilitators on how to lead “Pitong Hakbang” on their Home Visit to the oratory centers, Guinting and Casile.

Under the heat of the sun, the campers walked to the homes of their respective families and dined with them. After filling up their hearts with different stories of perseverance of their assigned family, they did the Pitong Hakbang. As the saying goes, “A family that prays together, stays together.” After entrusting to the Lord all their activities for the day, the campers experienced a slice of their family’s everyday life. The campers lived with the family (pakikipamuhay) and helped the family do their daily chores like washing the dishes, doing the laundry, cooking, gardening and removing weeds and cleaning the house.

As the campers went back to MHCC - Can, they processed their experiences per campsite and had a small group sharing.

To end the Becchi experience, the campers are reminded of Pope Francis’ quote, “Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself.”
--- Frances Angelene G. Rivera