4323_Accompany the Hearts

Day 4, Grow in Fidelity and Identity:
EAO Team Visit 2017 (8)

March 11, 2017

By Our Own Correspondent

Hua Hin, Thailand, 10 March 2017 -- Last full day of the EAO 2017 Team Visit in Hua Hin started with a meditation at 6:30, followed by the Eucharist presided by the Rector Major and animated with a beautiful Thai songs.

The Salesian Retreat House in Hua Hin thanks to the creative hospitality of the Thai provincial, local community SDB and lay mission partners again changed during the day in order to conclude this important day with long lasting family memories.

As the sixth of the seven themes was studied Formation sector, with the clear and deep animation of Fr. Ivo Coelho, the General Councilor for Formation (India - Mumbai province). His multi-facet input was introduced by two commissioned videos from FIN - Paranaque formation communities: first focused on the multi-cultural formation dynamics in the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco and second featured the Sandor community for the specific formation of Salesian Brothers (both produced by young FIN Salesians and available on the Youtube).

Fr. Ivo shared his reflection about the state of the formation (both initial and ongoing) in the EAO region, and pointed the 3 main aims to follow in the future (GC27 main path):

• To address fragility and to strengthen not only perseverance but also fidelity to our identity as Salesian consecrated priests and brothers.


• To grow in fraternity


• To grow as servant-apostles to the young.

In the same time the Formation Councilor invited quite strongly to work on the following means in strengthening our vocation journey with multi-facet accompaniment. The departure and arrival point of Fr. Ivo was the article 98 of the Salesian Constitutions (The formation experience - commitment to life long formation growth in Salesian vocation):

• Reflection on the operative model of formation


• Formation of formators (especially with spiritual accompaniment)


• Governance and Formation (right vision and consistent decision making)


• Aspirantate experience to be renewed (joint action of YM and Formation)


• Formation for the Mission (connection to all other sectors of the Salesian Life and Mission)

In the province group sharing was confirmed the need to link more the Youth Ministry and Formation sectors, especially with a renewed attention to the Salesian Brother Vocation, Personal Accompaniment (both Youth and Salesians) and work for more adequate models of our Aspirantates. The EAO regional coordinator for Formation, Br. Raymond Callo also contributed to the Open Forum with his personal experience from all 11 EAO Provinces.

At the end of the Assembly also the Rector Major shared his feedback about Formation assignments as absolute priority for the provincials (Are you happy with your Formator teams and environment in formation houses?) and warned about Clericalism, the most serious challenge to the Church of today according Pope Francis (November 30, 2016 - Meeting with the Major Religious Superiors).

The last morning of the Team Visit was concluded with an official photo session with the Rector Major and the Provinciala and Delegates for all respective sectors.

FORMATION TALK available on the BOSCOLINK: