SEOUL: 20th September '04 -- Perhaps there isn't a formation house quite like it: Dae Rim Dong in Seoul, formation community since 1963, but since 1978 a formation community in the context of a substantial group of young people at risk.  On Saturday 19th September, this became the setting for the Rector Major's visit - 2 deacons, 7 theology students, 4 postnovices and 4 prenovices, along with staff, and some 60 youth-at-risk sent by the Family Court for a six month trial period with the Salesians.

Of course on this occasion there were many more present; some 500 members of the Salesian Family, and the Archbishop of Seoul, Nicholas Chong.  Fr. Chavez addressed the issue of how Salesian Korea should approach the rapidly changing circumstances of life in Korea - with a five point plan: (1) return to the basics...the primacy of God and simplicity of life (2) builders of peace and reconciliation  - with North Korea (3) education to soldarity, and commitment to the poor (4) openness to dialogue with culture (5) globalisation with a human face (JPII).

In the afternoon, the Rector Major met another 400 members of the Salesian Family, this time in the FMA chapel.  Here the focus was the Salesian Family and the Rector Major invited all to re-read the Common Mission statement as well as that on our common identity.  He saw this as an opportunity to launch the Salesian Family into the future not just in growing numbers but in spirituality, common formation and in working together.  It is 23 years since the last visit of a Rector Major (Fr Viganò in 1981).  Fr Chavez considered that given the present growth rate of the Salesian Family, his next visit would not simply fill a Church but a Soccer Stadium!

Sunday 20th is the celebration of Don Bosco and the future in Korea - it is also the Feast of the Korean martyrs (103 saints) and an opportunity no doubt for the Rector Major to comment on Salesian holiness and the four new blesseds of the Salesian Family in 2004.

'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific.  It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome.  Try also www.bosconet.aust.com.

Did you know that St. Francis de Sales also used the word 'assistance' - to describe the style of spiritual accompaniment of souls that became his hallmark?  Check 'assistenza' in Lexisdb.