4749(IV)_How are growing the Salesian Cooperators in the EAO region?

Animation Path towards the 2018 ASC World Congress

June 7, 2018

By Mr. Philip Yu, ASC
EAO World Councilor ASC

ASC, 6 June 2018 -- Just four months before their Fifth World Congress in Rome, the Association of Salesian Cooperators is living another moments of lively animation in the world-wide renewal of the Association. About 300+ World Congress participants (mainly Salesian Cooperators - Provincial Coordinators and Formation Councilors - with their SDB & FMA Delegates) will gather in the retreat house of Sacrofano (near Rome) for 4 full days on October 25-28, 2018.

Each one of the 11 ASC Regions does prepare for the Congress according the indication of the ASC World Council: starting with a prayer, through accurate world-wide census (statistics are already available) of their members and preparing to share the good practices and reports about their life and mission during past 6 year period.

Our EAO region statistics show 2160 members (promise) belonging to 7 ASC provinces: CIN, FIN, FIS, GIA, KOR, THA and VIE, together with some 'not yet province' centers (like AUL: Australia and Samoa, PGS - Papua New Guinea, THA - Cambodia) and average age of 57 years. However the reliability of the data is only 25% in some province (FIN).

The World Councilors were encouraged to produce an audiovisual presentation of their Region meaningful mission, formation and life. For the EAO the World Congress participants may watch the apostolate of all 7 EAO provinces and some formation experience.

Last but not the least the Congress preparation offers also a good chance to evaluate ASC path after last EAO 2017 Tokyo Congress 'With the Young, For the Young like Don Bosco' - with a triple goal of Youth Project (rejuvenating the Association), Formation Project (translate, study and absorb the Formation guidelines and new PAL Commentary) as well a solid preparation and participation in the World Congress.

Although only a handful of the 2100+ EAO Cooperators will meet in Rome, everybody can offer the following 'official'

Prayer for the Fifth World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators (Rome, October 2018)

Holy Spirit of God, you have inspired in Saint John Bosco the will to extend the apostolic or the charism to all its collaborators for the salvation of the least of God’s children. We Salesian Cooperators preparing (and gathered in) this World Congress, ask You to infuse in our hearts and minds the desire to follow the call of Christ our Lord, live his Holy Gospel and participate in the mission of the Church.

Grant us:

Wisdom in discerning the true good, signs of the times and challenges of our society

Courage in witnessing concretely to faith in Jesus, the Saviour

Perseverance on the journey of daily holiness

Fidelity to the ‘Da mihi animas cetera tolle’ and co-responsibility in the Salesian charism

Love for the least and the neediest of our sisters and brothers

Strength in defending the rights of the weakest and safeguarding creation

Tenderness in welcoming and accompanying the young people that the Father places at our side.

Hope in God’s infinite mercy and in the joy of eternal life.

Mary, Woman of the ‘YES’, Virgin of obedience, Most Tender Mother, we ask you, with total abandonment to your love, to teach us to do ‘what He tells us’, to live our days in humility and joy.

Saints and Blessed of the Salesian Family, who have preceded us in the light of Grace, sustain us in this commitment. Amen.