austraLasia 1306
Korean SB runs a special on Salesian vocation
SEOUL: 26th October 2005 -- 18 pages packed with stories and information on the Salesian vocation. That's the picture from this month's Salesian Bulletin from South Korea. Eight different members of the Salesian Family tell the story of 'my vocation'- The SDB example is Coadjutor Brother, Bang Lorenzo who tells us that 'through suffering I met the Lord'. There's FMA, CSM, VDB, CDB, ASC, and a Friend of Don Bosco to boot. The Salesian Family is well represented in Korea.
There are interviews with three of the vocation promoters from different parts of the Family: Fr Peter Kim SDB, Sr Ro Angela FMA and Sr Kim Leonardo CSM. These interviews are particularly revealing. Amongst the female religious there is a notable downward trend in applicants - aspirant numbers have dropped by 25% over a 20 year period. On the male side numbers have remained at the same level as they were in 1985, the difference being that there are 20 additional male Congregations now to 1985, so the 'slice' from the cake is smaller! In society, and amongst Catholics, there are trends which replicate those found in western societies - young people manifesting less confidence in personal life, making choices later or not at all, awareness that one can serve the Church as a committed lay person, as a volunteer; more families in difficulty. The Salesian Family has realised it needs to work more amongst young adults - workers, and university students from 20-30 years of age.
The Catholic national vocation statistics are impressive: 2,400 diocesan priests, 450 religious priests. 1,800 major seminarians of whom 265 are religious. Catholics make up a population of 5 million amongst South Korea's 48 million inhabitants. It should be noted that there are 10 million Protestants.
A quick glance at the SDB Province itself also produces some impressive statistics: from 35 confreres 20 years ago they have grown to 113 today, with 6 in the novitiate for this year. There are 7 Korean confreres working as missionaries 'ad gentes'. Over this 20 year period or longer the Province has organised a monthly gathering for those interested in vocation. It means there has been a long and patient process of vocational accompaniment in place, especially from middle school until after military service. It seems to have borne its fruits. And this year there are ten newcomers to the aspirantate in Kwangju.
VOCABULARY
FMA, CSM, VDB, CDB, ASC, Friend of Don Bosco: Know them all? No? Then you need to visit SELECT on www.bosconet.aust.com!
to boot: as well
________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml. If you subscribe, email this information and your name will come off the regular email list. RSS eliminates problems such as multiple mailings, viruses, email bloat. Think about it!
Korean SB runs a special on Salesian vocation
SEOUL: 26th October 2005 -- 18 pages packed with stories and information on the Salesian vocation. That's the picture from this month's Salesian Bulletin from South Korea. Eight different members of the Salesian Family tell the story of 'my vocation'- The SDB example is Coadjutor Brother, Bang Lorenzo who tells us that 'through suffering I met the Lord'. There's FMA, CSM, VDB, CDB, ASC, and a Friend of Don Bosco to boot. The Salesian Family is well represented in Korea.
There are interviews with three of the vocation promoters from different parts of the Family: Fr Peter Kim SDB, Sr Ro Angela FMA and Sr Kim Leonardo CSM. These interviews are particularly revealing. Amongst the female religious there is a notable downward trend in applicants - aspirant numbers have dropped by 25% over a 20 year period. On the male side numbers have remained at the same level as they were in 1985, the difference being that there are 20 additional male Congregations now to 1985, so the 'slice' from the cake is smaller! In society, and amongst Catholics, there are trends which replicate those found in western societies - young people manifesting less confidence in personal life, making choices later or not at all, awareness that one can serve the Church as a committed lay person, as a volunteer; more families in difficulty. The Salesian Family has realised it needs to work more amongst young adults - workers, and university students from 20-30 years of age.
The Catholic national vocation statistics are impressive: 2,400 diocesan priests, 450 religious priests. 1,800 major seminarians of whom 265 are religious. Catholics make up a population of 5 million amongst South Korea's 48 million inhabitants. It should be noted that there are 10 million Protestants.
A quick glance at the SDB Province itself also produces some impressive statistics: from 35 confreres 20 years ago they have grown to 113 today, with 6 in the novitiate for this year. There are 7 Korean confreres working as missionaries 'ad gentes'. Over this 20 year period or longer the Province has organised a monthly gathering for those interested in vocation. It means there has been a long and patient process of vocational accompaniment in place, especially from middle school until after military service. It seems to have borne its fruits. And this year there are ten newcomers to the aspirantate in Kwangju.
VOCABULARY
FMA, CSM, VDB, CDB, ASC, Friend of Don Bosco: Know them all? No? Then you need to visit SELECT on www.bosconet.aust.com!
to boot: as well
________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml. If you subscribe, email this information and your name will come off the regular email list. RSS eliminates problems such as multiple mailings, viruses, email bloat. Think about it!
