"Our goal is not only for the children to increase in knowledge, but also to make them love learning, to strengthen them in the feeling that they are not left alone."
A few years ago, a rather dilapidated building stood on the site of the Don Bosco Oratory and Community House in Óbuda. No wonder, since it has been functioning as an oratory ever since the Salesians settled in Óbuda more than a hundred years ago. Later, in the communist era, after the dispersal, a factory was established there.
However, the chapel next door was able to function continuously, and after the regime change, the yard and the buildings gradually returned to the property of the order. The boys' college was built, and the provincial head office was also located in this block.
As a result of the dedicated work of Father József Havasi, SDB provincial chief, the Salesian presence and the Salesian service to young people have resumed. The oratory, which was the scene of Don Bosco's education, also started up again, as well as the community of animators who voluntarily help the Salesians work among the children. The time has come for a more serious development.
The Salesian order received support for the renovation of its buildings, so it was possible to demolish the old building in order to build the Don Bosco Oratory and Community House, which, in addition to children's and youth programs, also has spaces suitable for company trainings or cultural programs (exhibitions, conferences) .
Construction began in the summer of 2018 according to the plans of Finta Építéz Stúdió. Four years later, in March 2022, the house was handed over, and today it is operated by a staff of three: Jani Áron SDB, Zsuzsanna Enikő SC Rácz and Krisztina Márialigeti.
"From Tuesday to Friday, from half past five to seven, there is an oratorio for children
says brother Áron Jani.
Photo: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Courier
The oratory is closely related to the mission of the Salesians: we deal with the young people who are most in need. But let's not only think about the needy in the financial sense here!
People who are emotionally needy also come to us. For example, the children living in the two maternity homes operating near us are among the permanent participants. All children are welcome in the oratories. When they arrive, they first go rollerblading or rollerblading, play foosball or soccer. Then comes the joint learning. From high school students to grandparents, we have many volunteers who give their time and energy to work with the children.
We are also very grateful to those who help our work in other ways. Some people provide a background for prayer: every month they draw the name of a child for whom they pray. Others support us financially. We celebrate birthdays every month, to which members of the church community contribute with a cake."
Photo: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Courier
The animators are high school or university students who regularly help with the children, but many of the Salesian college students who live next to the house also undertake tutoring for one hour a week. Each helper has one or two children: they practice with them or help them with their homework.
Our aim is not only for the children to increase in knowledge, but also to make them love learning, to strengthen them in the feeling that they are not left alone
says brother Áron.
It is important that they can experience the emotional security here, the loving, caring and supportive atmosphere that they might not experience at home." After studying, there is still the possibility of handicrafts or other developments. Each evening is closed with a table fellowship and dinner, which is eaten together in the Mama Margit bar, named after Don Bosco's mother, and at the beginning of which a prayer and a short thought are said to feed the soul.
The Salesian colleagues - a branch of the Salesian family, actually Salesians living in the world - also try to help in the oratory and other programs. On May 23, 2015, Enikő made a commitment to this way of life. He says that Don Bosco himself created this way of life because he saw that many people wanted to live like the monks, but his life situation, age, and opportunities did not allow him to do so.
Anyone who feels it is their vocation to live like a Salesian, who cares about children and young people, and who wants to achieve their own sanctity of life through their service can belong to this Salesian branch.
In Don Bosco's time, the Salesians taught the children, wrote the textbooks, and dealt with the press. As an interesting fact, I mention that the first Salesian collaborators were diocesan priests. When this branch was approved, even IX. Pope Piusz also applied to be a Salesian collaborator." By the way, they will celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of their founding in three years.
Photo: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Courier
Employees can perform a variety of tasks depending on their life situation and circumstances. During the dispersion of the monks, for example, they hid and saved the relics and chalices. "Some of us are single: we dedicate the time that a mother spends on her family. Employees also work in places where there is no monastery nearby - they are present in their environment like yeast. Each oratory is led by Salesian colleagues. Fortunately, there are many of us here in the house in Óbuda, and our community consists mainly of young people. There are more older employees in the countryside. This profession is becoming more and more attractive, many people want to get involved."
Enikő is the professional manager of the institution. In addition to economic, financial, logistical and operational tasks, he is also responsible for marketing and communication.
"I feel more and more like Margit's mother: she was there everywhere, helping me with whatever I needed. Since I have been working here, the number of my ideas has increased tenfold, I am getting more and more inspiration from above.
The oratory always takes precedence over other programs, but with the house we also got a great opportunity for evangelization. Many people visit our programs or rent premises for small and large community events. We also have a sports room, because I think it is important to do sports together as a community. This community center provides space for a variety of social gatherings. The groups already feel like they belong here, they like to come here.
Some people think the child is a bully, but there has also been a death tor here.
Even non-believers feel that the house is filled with prayer, it's good to be here."
Featured image: Photo: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Kurír
