SALESIANUM-ROME
(ITALY) 28 July 2013- Last Sunday, 74 Volunteers of
Don Bosco concluded their 7th General Assembly, re-electing
the president of the institute, Ms. Olga Krizova. After almost
a week dedicated to discussions and study, this group coming
from 25 countries will go back to their places of origin with
renewed enthusiasm for more vocations, formation, apostolic
fruitfulness and social communications.
This secular institute, founded by Blessed Philip Rinaldi is
also present in several countries of the EAO. They live the
vows maintaining the ordinariness of daily life and
professional life, staying with their parents/family or on
their own. In this meeting, there were 9 members who
represented 7 countries in the East Asia-Oceania region.
The VDB's are part of our Salesian Family by virtue of the
close Salesian affinity of their founder. Although they have
their own separate internal organization, the Volunteers of
Don Bosco rely on the SDB's for regular assistance during
monthly days of recollection, retreats and spiritual
accompaniment. The VDB's add a Salesian touch where ever they
are: at work, in volunteer service, in missions or in their
local parish activities. They do not introduce or identify
themselves as VDB's. They do not necessarily have to work in a
Salesian institution nor do they have to own or run a school.
They simply live their consecration in the world.
The Rector Major, Fr. Pascual Chavez SDB, who celebrated the
opening Mass of this general assembly, had always encouraged
the mutual help and esteem we ought to have among the
different branches of the Salesian Family, respecting their
charism and promoting their vocations. Don Bosco had desired a
large company of persons, with a variety of backgrounds,
collaborating with zeal for souls and the welfare of the young
especially those in need.
