On the occasion, Fr Manolo Pérez, Director of the CSFPA, stressed the relevance of this anniversary, thanking God for the divine inspiration that reached the Provincials of the Americas at the 20th General Chapter in 1972 to reflect on how to incorporate Salesian formation in Latin America. It was from there that the path that led to this 4 December celebration began.

In all these years this centre has accompanied generations of Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and lay people, who bring the charism of Don Bosco to reality in Latin America. “We thank the Lord for this story of sowing, hope and harvest. We look to the future with the hope that God is faithful and continues to inspire us too," Fr Pérez commented.

Fr Marcelo Farfán, Provincial of the Salesians in Ecuador, stressed that this celebration is not only a feast for the Province, but for the entire Congregation. During the homily, he explored the meaning of the CSFPA through three images reflected in the readings, which convey its essence and mission:

The Salesian formation house was therefore presented as a "banquet house", a table where the banquet is the charism of Don Bosco, where God has prepared his best dishes and wines, and where his hand is always present. Taking part in a formation rich in thebcharism is a real nourishment for the soul. In addition, it is a "home where compassion is lived" in the face of the reality of many people, where empathy is lived and where one is always open to the difficult realities of the young people in Latin America. Finally, the CSFPA is a “house where we receive bread to share,” just as the disciples received bread to give to others. In those walls we live the experience of offering the bread of Don Bosco, a gift of God for the Church and for the world.

Fr Farfán also recalled the words of Fr Fernando Peraza, who directed this formative experience during its early years. In his words, he recalled that the birth of this house in the 1970s took place in a context full of pastoral challenges in Latin America and was the answer so that the Salesians could face these realities starting from their charismatic options, always walking in a triple fidelity: to the Church, to the Congregation and to the young people.

"We have a lot to be grateful for, and with this a really promising future opens up," the Provincial stressed. The celebration of this anniversary is not limited to the past, but is an invitation to renew the commitment to young people and families in Latin America. "We ask God to give life to the current team and those to come, to continue responding to the challenges of Don Bosco's presence on the continent," the Provincial concluded.

After the Eucharist, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in recognition of CSFPA's 50 years of service. The plaque, which includes the logo of the 50th anniversary, bears the following text: "At the service of Ongoing Formation in America with an Oratory Heart. 1974 - 4 December – 2024”.

The plaque thus intends to recall the inspiration of God who guided the history of the CSFPA, representing the sowing and harvesting lived through Salesian formation on the continent.

Marco Padilla,
Salesian Communication Office

Source: Salesianos.org.ec

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