3889(I)_CDB - Manila Group officially established

By Mr. Darwin Petit
World President of the Volunteers with Don Bosco CDB

Rome, Italy, 17 January 2016 - During the recent Salesian Family Days in Rome, January 14-17 were present 21 of the 30 official Salesian Family member groups. The active presence of few Presidents or Superiors was noticed and appreciated by the Rector Major.

Also the World President of the Volunteers With Don Bosco (CDB, Con Don Bosco) Mr. Darwin Petit, a Venezuela born and based medical doctor enriched the apostolic and spiritual sharing of the Family Days.

Although the Decree of Establishment of the PHI (Philippines) 'Presence depending on the Center' is dated already October 2015, this founding document was signed just few days ago in Rome, by Mr. Darwin and Fr. Joan Lluis Playa, SDB. The Central Assistant is already known to many VDB-CDB Assistants of Asia (AustraLasia 3811) present last year in Manila formation days. The CDB Central council meets only twice a year off-line, their monthly meetings are made via Skype.

In this way the only official CDB presence comes again back to life after a break of 6 years, when last 2010 the Korean presence (Seoul) was discontinued. At the moment four young men are journeying with Fr. Eli Cruz as their Ecclesiastical Assistant to discern and strengthen their Salesian Secular Lay vocation of CDB.

At present there are worldwide 101 members and official candidates of the CDB secular institute, with the strongest presence in Venezuela and Sicily (Italy) and other few countries. So far the Manila based CDB presence is the only one in the EAO and also around Asia.

However the CDB are fortunate in their vocation and spiritual journey thanks to the strong spiritual back of one CDB already on the way to the Church recognized holiness. Servant of God, Nino (Antonio) Baglieri (+2007) a CDB perpetually professed member who died in the fame of holiness in Sicily. A 50 minutes movie 'Atleta di Dio' with English subtitles was also distributed during the recent SF Spirituality Days by his fellow Sicilian friends.