4893(III)_"Salesian Cooperators: called to be co-responsible in responding to the new challenges”

Fifth World Congress of Salesian Cooperators open in Rome (October 25-28)

October 26, 2018

By Mr. Thomas Lee, ASC
Korea Province Formation Councillor

Rome, Italy, 26 October 2018 -- It is exciting to participate in the World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators for the first time. We came from 66 countries and according the organizers we are 338 participants in all, from all five continents. As you can follow on the photo gallery shared on social media (Kakao Talk) the EAO Salesian Cooperators are striking with their yellow 'uniform' - a gift from the mother province of China! Thanks - Xie xie!

Before the official start of the World Congress on 25 October, we had already held an informal EAO meeting, where it was decided to hold the Formation Councillors Workshop for the EAO region next year, in Cambodia, at Sihanoukville's Don Bosco School (May 20-22, 2019) and the next EAO Regional Congress in Dalat, Vietnam (July 23-26, 2020). The energetic animation presence of our EAO World Councillor is being felt very much!

25 October (Day 1): the first day of the World Congress began with the Eucharist at 7 a.m. and after breakfast the official opening ceremony of the Congress was at 9:30. There was an official entrance with the national flags of all participating provinces & 66 countries. Due to the absence of the Rector Major, who is currently attending the Vatican Synod of Bishops, the formal greetings from Salesian Family groups were delivered from the FMA Sisters, CDB and VDB secular institutes and of course by the ASC World Coordinator Ms Noemi Bertola.

In the afternoon, reports on the situation and challenges of the Salesian Cooperators in the respective 11 Regions (East Asia - Oceania is one of them) followed. Mr Philip Yu (World Councillor 2014-2020) reported on behalf of our almost 3000 EAO Salesian Cooperators.

Although it is not so easy to move around all of the large group of more than 330 Cooperators and their SDB and FMA delegates, due to language, food and timetable, we enjoy the experience of being part of this large world-wide family of 30,000 Salesian Cooperators.

The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, finally arrived in the afternoon of the first day, after his daily participation in the Vatican Synod on Youth - Faith - Vocation Discernment. The presence of our Superior and the successor of Don Bosco is always inspiring! Pray for us, that we can bring back home some wisdom for how to answer our call 'to be co-responsible in responding to the new challenges” in today's world.