Numerous lay and consecrated members of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians spent time keenly experimenting with relational dynamics in the light of the skills acquired through the study conducted so far.
The scheduling for these work days has been tight ever since the evening they began, with a growing rhythm that has allowed a developing climate of great openness and broad sharing, prompting availability and commitment during the exercises, and avoiding any reserve coming into play in the workshop dynamics.
The accompaniment which the course prepares people for is essentially a form of spiritual accompaniment which can be adapted to the environment, or to group and personal accompaniment, though always in Salesian style. In addition, it has the exclusive purpose of learning how to discern God’s will in life, the only voice that guides the way for Christians, whether they are the ones who accompany or who allow themselves be accompanied.
“Spiritual accompaniment is not a service that everyone is called to, but certainly discerning the will of God is a task for everyone”, Fabio and Brunella Cifola, a married couple, commented. Accepting to become someone who accompanies another person along the way that leads to the Father, means first of all to set out to learn how to listen to the Lord’s will in one’s own life. It is first of all allowing oneself be led, agreeing to orient oneself towards the Voice that calls. Here then is where measuring oneself against the ability to listen lays bare one's frailties, and opens the heart, mind and spirit by releasing emotions. If these are sublimated in terms of sentiment, they then shape the will in the direction of choices dictated by personal vocation.
The event confirmed once more that the close involvement of consecrated and lay Salesians, united by dedication to the mission – albeit in the different dimensions of life – makes not only the Congregation beautiful and fruitful, but the whole Church too, in which the accompaniment of young people in the footsteps of Don Bosco charts a path of hope toward the future.
"Thanks to those who so strongly sought this formation course, to those who committed their resources so it could be structured in this compelling workshop session" the Cifola couple concluded.
