EAO Salesian Brother Action Plan 2018-2024

By Our Own Correspondent

K'Long, Vietnam, 13 August 2018 -- Don Bosco as man of God, as educator, pastor, communicator, missionary and founder of large spiritual and apostolic family believed in the need and practical impact of a flexible planning mentality. One of the expressions are his 'dreams', mixture of God's inspiration and his vision about the large work for the young. Also the 7th EAO Brother Congress was concluded with a dream - a vision about the Salesian Brother of the future. The final resolutions (still hot and in need of final touch) are our EAO dream.

First of all the 180+ participants bring home their own PERSONAL resolutions - dream, fruit of their intense sharing and inspiration during past 4 days: most of them are on personal vocation growth and ongoing formation (pray - read - reflect on two forms of one Salesian vocation) or at the level of personal commitment according the role or task entrusted (e.g. Youth Ministry delegates coordinator: I will talk about consecration and about the dual form of our Salesian vocation in more explicit way and invite all EAO youth ministry delegate to present Don Bosco as a Priest, as Consecrated to God for the young).

With the fresh PROVINCE level resolutions the 7th EAO Congress participants aim to transform the Salesian culture in their respective provinces. On the Boscolink you can read all 12 province level resolutions. Some of them are realy fresh, new and bold pledge of action or journey. As good example we read the GIA (Japan) province resolution - line of action 2018-2024:

1. During the quarterly recollection, we talk and share about Salesian consecrated Life. [CONSECRATION AWARENESS]


2. We are one!! - We need to add Salesian Brother in community council at least formation house, We should hold a community assembly and try to have at least one Salesian Brother in each community. [COMPLEMENTARITY as one SDB COMMUNITY]


3. We will hold Salesian Brother gathering at province level every 2 years (=restart) and we will translate the booklet of “Listen to Salesian Brother”(50 Salesian Brother interview in Japanese a spread it through social media and other means of Salesian communication. [ONGOING FORMATION]


4. Next year during the Salesian Family Day, one Salesian Brother (T) will share a talk about Salesian Brother. It makes a chance to talk about Salesian Brother vocation. We may consider one Salesian Brother as Salesian Family Coordinator. [VISIBILITY-VOCATION CULTURE]


5. For solid Salesian vocation (two forms) discernment, we need to learn more Salesianity, to understand the heart of Don Bosco and the first SDB community in Valdocco. During our initial formation, it is difficult for youth to recognize clearly the two forms of one Salesian formation. So we commit ourselves to a credible witness as consecrated Salesians. [DISCERNMENT]

Now we call “Salesian Brother” in Japanese “Sensei”, but “Sensei” (teacher 先生) doe not mean a consecrated Salesian - Salesian brother. So we are try to find a new calling name.

A strong experience of fraternity and focused reflection of the 180+ Salesians during past 4 days is a clear sign of hope, that our resolutions will bring fruits and will start some new process in each of our EAO provinces, formation houses, vocation culture and youth ministry. With a sense of humble gratitude we entrust these resolutions to the guidance and ongoing inspiration of our Mother Mary and Don Bosco!

Related news:

• BOSCONET: 7th EAO Salesian Brother Congress - main input, sharing and resolutions
• YouTube channel SDB - Vietnam with 25 video interviews
• Facebook page of the 7th EAO Salesian Brother Congress

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