Provincial Formation Congress in Lima: “Never again, Salesian Cooperators without Formation”

María Begoña Bacacorzo Díaz.

From October 11 to 13, the Provincial Formation Congress was held in Lima with the motto: “Never again, Salesian Cooperators without Formation.” This event brought together brothers from various centers of our province to reflect on the urgency of seeking a solid and coherent formation, capable of responding to contemporary challenges.

During the three days of the congress, the participants focused on the need to develop an integral formation that encompasses the human, Christian and Salesian dimensions. The goal is for each Salesian Cooperator to achieve a mature personality committed to his vocation, strengthening his approach to Christ and his Church and reaffirming his role as an active agent in the community, according to the Salesian charism.

The topics addressed included, in addition to the in-depth study of the dimensions mentioned, the formation of formators, the formative process of candidates, the role of the formator and the richness of accompaniment and spiritual direction. Each topic offered a space for the exchange of experiences and for the analysis of strategies that allow Salesian Cooperators to respond to the call of Christ with a renewed and generous love, fulfilling their mission in a more effective and meaningful way, in harmony with the values ​​of the Gospel and the teachings of Don Bosco.

This congress marks a milestone in the formative journey of our province, emphasizing the importance of a formation that begins in the early stages and is maintained throughout life, as a foundation for facing current challenges and offering an authentic service in the preferential option for the most needy children and young people.

Ecuador. Provincial Council 

It is the space of animation and government that brings together #SalesianCooperators brothers who share the service of animation and government in the Local Centers and Zones in Ecuador. Together with the elected Provincial Council and its SDB and FMA Delegates, important aspects of the associative life are reviewed, making decisions about documents and other requirements for a fraternal journey in the different cities and local centers.

According to a POA, a permanent accompaniment to the responsibility is carried out, keeping the gaze on the Project of Apostolic Life of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, with attentive listening and a heart ready for the different vocational situations of our daily life, in addition to recognizing the weaknesses or difficulties of a life in community.

The Itinerant Provincial Council has the purpose of caring for the sensitive fibers of our vocation and apostolate; work that is strengthened with the feedback in each of the centers, where each Salesian Cooperator assumes the commitments to live them from his reality, in community and global harmony.

“The Salesian Cooperator feels responsible for the common mission and develops it according to his living conditions, capacities and possibilities, giving his valuable support. He shares in the Association the educational and evangelizing co-responsibility. Each one feels obliged to participate in the programming and review meetings of the different activities, according to the decision of those responsible.

If he is called to hold positions of responsibility, he commits himself to attend them with fidelity and a spirit of service” (E 22, 1 of the PVA)

FORMATION MEETING OF SDB DELEGATES AND FMA DELEGATES OF THE SSCC OF THE PCS REGION

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the delegates of the Salesian Cooperators of the South Pacific Caribbean region met in formation with the world delegate, Sister Lucrecia Uribe.

The main theme was focused on Local and Provincial Accompaniment and Animation, as well as some motivations such as vocation, unity, and the plurality of spaces in which Salesian Cooperators work.

Sister Lucrecia also stressed that as delegates they must offer and contribute from the joy of their own vocation. She also reminded them that the strategies they must use are those of Jesus and the Gospel.

These were very intense moments of sharing experiences and not leaving aside the PVA and the guidelines for Formation in the process of supporting and accompanying in service.

Finally, she reminded them that they must not lose sight of the accompaniment itineraries and that these are not recipes to be followed to the letter but are lights that illuminate the path.