But the real initiative for the creation of an Eastren-rite branch within the Salesian Congregation was taken in 1930 by the Apostolic Nuncio of Poland Right Rev. Francesco Marmagi, who turned to the Pope and the General Prefect of the Salesians, Filippo Rinaldi, asking them to give their consent to the creation of such a branch in order to establish them in Ukraine, with permission to maintain the rite and traditions of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church. In 1932, ensuing the blessing and support of Metropolitan Andrei, the then Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, and of the Right. Rev Josyf Kotsylovskyj, Bishop of Peremyshl, this idea was realized later by Father Petro Holyns'kyj, catechist of the gymnasium in Peremyshl and referent of the Peremyshl Eparchial Consistory, and it was supported by Father Vassyl Hrynyk, a member of the General Curia of the Salesians in Torino, and when the Curia consented, boys from the Eparchy of Peremyshl began to be sent to Ivrea, northern Italy, to study with the Salesians in order later to organize a Ukrainian branch of the Salesians in Halychyna. Several of the boys were students in the Peremyshl Gymnasium and had been encouraged by their catechist, Father Petro Holyns'kyj.
Accompanied by Fr. Balaban, OSBM, the first group of boys from Halychyna to come to the Salesian Minor Seminary in Ivrea in 1932. They were Stefan Czmil, Vassyl Tyndalo, Roman Samotyj, Theodor Kudla, Avhustyn Porod’ko, Ivan Saba, Mykola Forys', Jurij Bajdala, Ivan Tyljatynskyj, Adam Sveda. The first five later became Salesian priests and Ivan Saba became a lay brother.
In 1937 six more went: Hryhorij Harasymovycz, Roman Saba, Andrij Sapeljak, Ivan Tyljavs'kyj, Omeljan Kmit and Taras Lapyczak, of whom the first four later became Salesian priests.
In 1938 another group of eight students arrived: Lev Hajdukivs'kyj, Volodymyr Hrynyshyn, Roman Mazjar, Mykhajlo Pryszlak, Vassyl Sapeljak, Sylvester Tatukh, Vassyl Losichko and Bohdan Hajdukivs'kyj, of whom the first five became Salesian priests. Just before the war the last group of eight came: Evhen Kotsa, Konstantyn Lykhacz, Ivan Ortyns'kyj, Ivan Kharovs'kyj, Mykhajlo Breda and Hryhorij Pryszljak, of whom the first three became Salesian priests and Ivan Kharovs'kyj became a lay brother.
On account of the political situation after World War II, plan to organize a Ukrainian branch of the Salesians on Ukrainian ethnographic territory was aborted, because those who were ordained could not return to their native land. When Bishop Ivan Buchko conceived the Idea to reestablish a minor seminary in Loury in continuation of the Minor Seminary of Lviv (1919-1944), obtained the consent of the Salesian General Curia for the Ukrainian Salesians to undertake its direction.
Amongst the Directors of the Ukrainian Pontificial Minor Seminary in Rome, Rev. Stepan Czmil merits a special place. He was the first Ukrainian Greek-Catholic (Eastern-rite) Salesian, whom Patriarch Josyf Slipyj, Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, to whom he conferred the honorary title of Archimandrite, and whom, in 1978, he consecrated him Bishop. Father Stefan died in 1978 before he could celebrate the independence of Ukraine in 1991 and lies buried in the crypt of the Ukrainian Basilica of Saint Sophia in Rome. Generally acknowledged as a good, pious, religious man, and hailed as a saint by all who knew him, it was decided in 2006 to collect sufficient material in order to initiate the process of his beatification and canonization.
A number of the first Ukrainian salesians returned to their fatherland, Ukraine, in 1991, the year of Ukraine’s proclamation of independence, 60 years after having left their homes. Amongst these - Bishop Andrij Sapeliak, his brother Rev. Vassyl, Rev. Mykhjlo Pryshlak and others.
To date, the Ukrainian Eastern-rite salesians operate in four religious houses-monasteries in Lviv, gather the youth in so called “Oratories”-Youth Centers, organize during Summer the “Happy Holidays” venue (camps on a daily basis), manage the “Professional Technical School of St. John Bosco” for the poor and families with numerous children), as also the “Gymnasium of Blessed Clement Szeptyckyj”. They make their educative experience felt, when giving a helping hand to the local Church and Town authorities in various venues for the youth. The Salesian Parish of the “Pokrova of Our Lady” sustains the Salesian Orphanage, “Family abode of Pokrova”, located in the huge bell-tower of the church. In 2005 a Ukrainian Byzantine-rite so called “Delegatura” (Vice Province) was opened. In 2005 they initiated pastoral activities in the city of Uzhorod, not far from the Hungarian border, targeting the Christian education of youths. In 2006 a “Vocation House” was opened in Vynnyky (5 miles from Lviv) where those willing, can study their vocation in life, whether they’re called to the priesthood, to a monastic life or to the life of an ordinary lay man. But the main objective of the ‘Vocation House’ is to entice the participants to give a thought on becoming Salesians. Annexed is the Youth Centre. There is also a Salesian Sports Organization with a Football Association, strong of 300 members of all ages. They take part in the Western Ukrainian Soccer Youth League where they are fairing very well, especially because, aside from playing good football, they are well educated on the pitch and the spectators hardly ever here any swearing from them. In 2007 the “Don Bosco” Publishing House was founded, the main goal of which is the Christian education of the readers, and especially of the youth. Efforts have been made this year to open a hose-Youth Centre-Church in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.
And so, thanks to God’s blessings and help, the number of Salesian Eastern-rite confreres augments by the year and their pastoral activities are becoming more and more important, essential and necessary in the edifying and education of youths in Ukraine.
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