ROME: 25th June '04 --  While formal preparation for life as a Salesian begins with the prenovitiate, the Salesian Ratio makes the point that 'the candidate is admitted to the prenovitiate only when he has made his option for the Salesian life'(330).  Within many provinces of the EAO region, a renewed approach to this proviso of 'only when....' has resulted in a current number of 700 of what could only be, using older terminology, 'aspirants'.

 

The total number is impressive but it's worth a look at how this number pans out across those places that have adopted this approach (not all provinces have).  They generally tend to be senior high school level or higher, meaning an age group of at least 16+, depending on what 'senior high' means in each place.  Korea is an interesting example.  They have 29 'aspirants' all at First Year University level.  Many attend a Catholic University, but not all.  These young adults are heavily involved at key moments in catechetical activities, camps, and the like.  Vietnam's situation is quite different, but they have a total of 300!  They meet for formation weekly in 5 established places around the country.  Thailand has 84 aspirants, half of whom are the senior school group (at Bampong).  The remainder are juniors still, at Hua Hin.  Something similar is the case in East Timor where the Middle School at Venilale houses some 110 'interested' boys, but they have a way to go, being still at  the Fourth Form/Year 10 level.

Interesting to note that the renewed approach to vocations in PNG has resulted in a substantial group of 25 at East Boroko, all at 'College' level, which for them means they are in their final High school (Year 12) years.  The same is the case for FIS (Cebu) and FIN (Manila) provinces where College aspirant students number 27 and 35 respectively.  Japan has 26 senior students in two groups, one at Yokkaichi and another at Yokohama.  China province presently has two aspirants.