By Fr. Vaclav klement, SDB

Every new vocation is a visible and touchable sign that God loves the Salesian Congregation. Do you know how many Salesian aspirants we have within the 22 countries of the 10 East Asia – Oceania region provinces? What is your personal contribution to this very important part of our Salesian mission – vocation ministry?

The present estimate is about 800+ young Aspirants ranging from the junior high school (12-15 years) to the university age (20-25 years), from the military service to the young adult working age.

All of them in many different ways discern their call to the religious and Salesian life. Some of the Aspirantates are boarding high schools, some are run as weekly Sunday encounters, some offer the chance of study in the local major seminary, still some are intertwined with a large Salesian school or within the settings for youth at risk.

All of the 25 - 30 different small or big Aspirantates are place of the first steps to explore and discern the Salesian vocation. First steps start with an attraction by the figure of Don Bosco, by some Salesian model or by the way of Don Bosco’s mission are followed by longer period of personal growth, studies and accompaniment. In some provinces it takes 10 years to reach the novitiate. Some of them start their vocation journey still as non - Christians, some of them should overcome their parents negative view about religious life. Thanks to those hardworking Salesians in this mission we can welcome every year some 70-80 novices. In 2015 we are grateful for the gift of 75 novices and also grateful that each province of the region has some novice: AUL -5, CIN -2, FIN – 7, FIS-5, GIA-1, ITM – 16, KOR – 4, MYM – 7, PNG-SI 1, THA-1 and VIE-29.

With a grateful heart we remember in our prayers all 800+ young men and pray in the different Aspirantate and pray for each one of them:

• Australia-Pacific province (AUL) in Samoa-Alafua (6) and Australia-Melbourne-Clifton Hill (3)


• China province (CIN) in Hong Kong Aberdeen Technical school (6)


• Philippines North province (FIN) in Canlubang (37+)


• Philippines South province (FIS) in Lawaan (32+) and in Lahore (3)


• Japan province (GIA) in Yokkaichi (15) and Tokyo-Chofu (3)


• Timor Leste – Indonesia vice-province (ITM) in Indonesia: Jakarta-Tigaraksa (4), in Timor: Venilale (150), Fatumaca (48), Dili-Comoro (20)


• Korea province (KOR) in Seoul-Dae Rim Dong (4)


• Myanmar vice-province (MYM) in Anisakan (86+) and Thibaw (12)


• Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands delegation (PNG-SI) in Port Moresby (14) and in Honiara (5)


• Thailand-Laos-Cambodia province (THA) in Thailand - Hua Hin (40), Chiang Mai (17), Banpong (16), Sampran (8), Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh (1+15)


• Vietnam province (VIE) 300+ ‘Sunday aspirants’ accompanied in 6 local vocational centers.