5065(I)_A privilege to journey with the Salesian Cooperators as FMA Delegate

Interview with Sr. Evangelina Rago, FMA, former Delegate to the ASC

April 18, 2019

By Our Own Correspondent

Cebu, the Philippines, 18 April 2019 -- What makes you happy as a Salesian Cooperators’ delegate?

As a delegate I had a first hand experience with the third member of the Salesian Family, came to know its life and mission and worked better with the association. I felt I belonged to a bigger family. Then I came to understand better the motive of Don Bosco in founding this group.

What makes the Salesian Cooperators grow in their vocation?

• Deepening of the spirit of the association, knowing well their Identity, studying and deepening the Word of God and the PAL
• Joining conferences, assemblies, spirituality days and celebrations
• Doing something for the poor young and be in the mission

What are the major challenges in vocation growth of the Salesian cooperators?

• For the younger generation , the challenge is in their family, for it is the foundation of good relationships with oneself, others, and God, and of vocation discernment. The culture of the young of today who are immersed in technology
• For the older ones, the challenge is in the technology. Many are left behind in communication through the internet or the web

How did you prepare yourself as formator - delegate to the ASC?

• Besides the Spirituality Formation and Formators’ Courses in Rome , I read and studied the PAL and tried to deepen it with the Cooperators.
• Assemblies and Congresses (local and international) helped a lot
• A group and a place where to convene together with the Cooperators
• Meeting of delegates and discuss how to animate the group so they can grow and progress

What exchange among the EAO Salesian Cooperator provinces do you dream about?

• Visits of the EAO Salesian Cooperator Councilor to the respective provinces
• Sharing of good experiences of other provinces
• Exchange of emails among the EAO Salesian Cooperators

What do you expect from the 2019 EAO Formators Workshop in Cambodia?

• Improved formulation of the Guidelines for Initial Formation
• Better outline of sessions to be taken up for both initial formation and young Cooperators
• Assign formators or in-charge for each level of formation

How do you put into practice the four pillars of formation?

• To know - is to study and deepen the PAL and other Salesian documents ; know the history of the association
• To do - Be connected to the Salesian world through the web, attend assemblies or congresses and be present in meetings
• To be – to grow in their sense of belonging to the association ; deepen the identity and do some work for the poor young or volunteer
• To live in communion - celebration together, be present in meetings and assemblies, do the mission together or plan and work together for volunteer work or any apostolate.