By Fr. Roxas Roberto, SDB

Manila, Philippines - Last November 4, 2015, the SDB Delegates to the Salesian Family Groups (ADMA, Don Bosco PAST PUPILS, Association of the Salesian Cooperators) met for the second time at the Provincial Office. They started with the Vespers and the Good night Talk of Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, FIN Provincial. They discussed how to better animate the different groups assigned to them as Delegates of the Provincial.

The Letter of the Rector Major on the Service to the Salesian Family served as a point for reflection and discussion. It was surely a good reminder for us that “The first and indispensable change of mentality required is that the community feels itself involved in the animation of and collaboration with the various groups of the Family operating in the same neighborhood (…)”

Choosing Salesian Delegates was also considered as one of the problems to be addressed. The first concern of the Provincial and his Council should be the selection of confreres who will provide this typically Salesian service. The service should be entrusted to confreres who have a great love for Don Bosco. They must also embody the Salesian spirituality and they should be prepared for this task. Confreres should be qualified and willing to accomplish the important task of animating the Salesian Family Groups.

After some lengthy discussions, we concluded with the words of the Rector Major: “This co-relation and complementary aspect of our vocation constitutes the charismatic foundation of inter-communion, inter-communication and collaboration among the different groups of the SF” which serves as a reminder that we are called to carry out the mission that Don Bosco started.