The Central President Olga, one Central Councilor Dagmar and South Asia Regional Councilor Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga

By Fr. Václa Klement, SDB

Last August 2014 happened probably the largest historical gathering of the Volunteers of Don Bosco in their 100 years history on the Asian soil. In Thailand, Hua Hin ‘Salesian retreat Center’ was held the annual spiritual retreat with more than 100 VDBs from India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, China - Hong Kong and Macau, Korea and Japan. The retreat was animated by 12 Salesian priests – Ecclesiastical Assistants to the VDB from all above mentioned countries.

During one week long retreat was held also a working encounter of the Asian VDB Assistants with Olga, the VDB World President (from Slovakia) and two of her Central Councillors. Among them some Salesian missionaries who try to accompany young ladies in newly starting mission areas to live their Secular Salesian Consecration and also some 25 years serving veteran Assistants who facilitated the translations of their documents into EAO languages for many years.

During that meeting was raised also key question: ‘There are some opportunities for the formation of the Assistants?’ With the pro-active and pragmatic Salesian approach since that meeting in Hua Hin started a year-long preparation for the 3 days Formation of Asia VDB Assistants next November 19-21, 2015 in Manila.

Three surveys to all 21 SDB provincials in Asia, to 140+ Asia based VDB and their 20+ ecclesiastical assistants offers light on some strategically important topics: Secular consecration in the Church, specific role and contribution of the VDB in the Church and in the Salesian family.

With a co-operation of both SDB Regional Councillors (South Asia and East Asia-Oceania) last July 21 there was at the SDB general house a short meeting with Olga to check the preparation for Manila formation. There will be some 20 SDB with the newly appointed VDB Central Assistant Fr. Joan Lluis Playa and 6 senior VDB members to facilitate the first historical Assistants formation in Asia.

VDB Secular Institute was born in Valdocco Oratory of the FMA's with help of Blessed Don Philip Rinaldi (Third successor of Don Bosco) on May 20, 1917. That means that the VDB are preparing their Centenary celebrations for 3 years: 2014-2017! About 1280 VDB members are living and witnessing in their secular way to the Risen Lord with the heart of Don Bosco.

The Central President (Responsabile Centrale) Olga with the EAO Ecclesiastical assistants in Hua Hin, August 2014 during the VDB Asia Spiritual retreat