4824(III)_Where are born our new Salesians?
53 Salesian novices around the EAO region
August 20, 2018
EAO, 20 August 2018 -- Celebrating the 203rd Birthday of Don Bosco, last August 16, our prayer goes especially to the youngest generation of Don Bosco's for today youth - our novices. During their 12 months novitiate period they 'prepare themselves to give all to God for the service of the young in the spirit of Don Bosco.
Since our 8 EAO novitiates are so far from each other, the 8 novice directors (novice-masters) were kind enough to send us their novitiate-photos from Suva - Fiji Islands (AUL), from Lawaan-Cebu (FIS), from Chofu-Tokyo-Japan (GIA), from Tigaraksa - Indonesia (INA), Neri-South Korea (KOR), from Sampran-Thailand (THA), from Fatumaca - Timor Leste (TLS) and from Bathon-Vietnam (VIE).
At present we pray for the 53 EAO novices in the following locations: AUL – Fiji (1), FIS – Philippines South (11), GIA – Japan (1), INA – Indonesia (7), KOR – Korea (2), THA – Thailand (2), TLS – Timor Leste (18) and VIE – Vietnam (11). In the only inter-provincial novitiate in Cebu there are 6 Filipinos, 2 Solomon Islanders, 2 Pakistani and one PNG novice.
Among the 8 novice-masters we welcome one newcomer - Fr. Joseph Dang (Vietnam-Mongolia province) who started with a new batch of 11 novice just this week. May the Holy Spirit be their guide in the vocation accompaniment during this very important year in their life.
Thanks to Fr. Jim Hoe, Fr. Philip Lazatin, Fr. Michael Lap, Fr. Andre Delimarta, Fr. Timothy Choi, Fr. Anthony Boonlert, Fr. Anacleto Pires and Fr. Joseph Dang with their respective formation teams and all who contribute to the vocation growth of our new consecrated Salesians!
Our Congregation is blessed every year with an average of 425-450 novices for past years. It makes the highest number among the man religious congregations in the world. With the sense of humble gratitude we give thanks for each one of our novices!