During two morning sessions, Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Regional Councilor for the Africa-Madagascar Region, shared his insights and recommendations after visiting all 7 communities in 3 countries of the “Blessed Michael Rua” Vice-province.
Presenting the Road Map of the Rector Major to the newly appointed Superior Fr. Václav Klement and his Council for 2023-2029, Fr. Owoudou underlined many positive charismatic realities and some concrete ways for the charismatic relaunching of the Vice-province.
AFM Salesians are called to share a long tradition of local missionary volunteers with other 13 African provinces along with other creative ways of youth ministry.
At the same time, the Regional Councilor encouraged the 25 present confreres to foster greater family spirit and more radical ways of religious life, especially to heighten the sense of belonging to one provincial community.
After two morning sessions with the Provincial Council and the assembly of rectors and confreres, the evening Eucharist was celebrated with the profession of faith of Fr. Vaclav and the thanksgiving to the outgoing superior, Fr. Joy Sebastian. For the occasion, the church was packed with the faithful: all the rectors and directors of the Vice-province’s communities, several Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as well as some Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians; Salesian Cooperators from all three AFM member countries and young people who participated in local youth volunteer projects in the past years, in the areas of vocational training or youth ministry.
In his homily to the 50 members of the Salesian family and young people, Fr. Alphonse traced the recent path of the AFM Vice-province, enlightened with faith and Salesian charismatic renewal.
The last part of this festive day was the meal offered to all participants, followed by the joyful family academy with contributions from all the SF groups and the lay volunteers. All present were grateful for the wonderful hospitality of the Walkerville community (Rector Fr. Jonathan Daniels) with their SDB, lay mission partners, and volunteers.
Fr. Alphonse Owoudou departed the next day for his first visit to the Madagascar Vice-province with the promise to soon send a special missionary appeal to the 13 Provinces of the Africa Madagascar region to help the AFM Vice-province in this moment of history.
