The multi-facet input by Fr. Ivo Coelho, the General Councilor for Formation, was introduced by two commissioned videos from FIN - Paranaque formation communities: the first focused on the multi-cultural formation dynamics in the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco and second featured the Sandor community for the specific formation of Salesian Brothers (both produced by young FIN Salesians and available on the Youtube).
Then Fr. Ivo shared his reflection about the state of formation (both initial and ongoing) in the EAO region, and pointed the 3 main aims to follow in the future (GC27):
- To address fragility and to strengthen not only perseverance but also fidelity to our identity as Salesian consecrated priests and brothers.
- To grow in fraternity.
- To grow as servant-apostles to the young.
At the same time the Formation Councillor invited everyone quite strongly to work on the following means to strengthening our vocation journey with multi-facet accompaniment:
- Reflection on the operative model of formation
- Formation of formators (especially for spiritual accompaniment)
- Governance and Formation (right vision and consistent decision making)
- Aspirantate experience to be renewed (joint action of YM and Formation)
- Formation for the Mission (connection to all other sectors of the Salesian Life and Mission)
In the province group sharing the need for a closer link between the Youth Ministry and Formation sectors was confirmed, especially with a renewed attention to the Salesian Brother Vocation, Personal Accompaniment (both Youth and Salesians) and work for more adequate models of Aspirantates. The EAO regional coordinator for Formation, Br. Raymond Callo also contributed to the Open Forum with his personal experience from all 11 EAO Provinces.
After a successful talk on formation of the EAO delegates (November 2016) in the EAO Region, Fr. Eusebio Munoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, came back to the main floor. During one 90-minute session Fr. Eusebio shared briefly three main perspectives of the present situation:
- Hour of the Laity in the Church after Vatican II: Each lay person has a complete and complementary vocation like the consecrated people (religious) and like the priests;
- Journey of the Salesian Congregation from the 1971 Special General Chapter with a wonderful progress in maturity of the whole Salesian Family (communion) as well with the growth of many mature SF groups;
- More mature and deeper understading about the Salesian Family today, after three Charters of the SF (Communion in 1995, Mission in 2000 and Identity in 2012).
The whole session was introduced by two video clips (one from Timor Leste and other from Thailand), both produced with a significant help of Salesian Family members - Don Bosco Past Pupils: Mr Alberto Piedade (EAO World Councilor or the Young Don Bosco Alumni) and Mr Wichai Srisura (former EAO World Councilor of the Salesian Cooperators).
In a short province group sharing all participants discussed in depth: “How to believe more in the Salesian Family?” (more effective organization at all levels with the necessary Council - Consulta) “What strategies are necessary for the vocation and quality growth of the main groups of SF entrusted to our care?” (Salesian Cooperators, DB Alumni, VDB-CDB and ADMA). They discerned a few strategies for growth in communion as one Salesian Family.
