On Thursday 19 September, the General Councillor met with the MEG Provincial, Fr Filiberto González Plascencia, and with the members of the Provincial Council at the Salesian Theologate in Tlaquepaque, in the State of Jalisco. Here he spoke with the Councillors about the progress of the new "Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis et Studiorum", the document that regulates the formation of Salesians and establishes the guidelines and criteria for the formation process from the beginning of religious life to ongoing formation, as well as his vision of formation in the Congregation.
Fr Coelho opened the day on Friday 20th with the celebration of the Eucharist with the Salesian community at Tlaquepaque. He then met the house's formation team followed by the Provincial Commission for Formation (CIF) to discuss the situation of formation houses, the experiences of lifelong learning and the intercultural challenges faced by international formation houses.
He then visited the premises of the Salesian Higher Institute where the Salesians carry out their theological studies, and met the students. At the end of the day, he went to the facilities of the Salesian Brothers Regional Formation Centre America (CRESCO America), also in Tlaquepaque, and in a fraternal atmosphere he shared a meal and conversation with the members of this community.
The following day the General Councillor for Formation went to Irapuato, Guanajuato, to meet the aspirants and the prenovices at the Salesian Prenovitiate. This visit took place in an atmosphere of closeness and listening by Fr Coelho, who showed interest in the formative experience offered to young Mexicans in their initial phase.
