From August 21 to 23, 2026, the Ecuador Province held its 4th National Meeting of Local Councils, under the theme “Being Leaven to Be Fruitful”, as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Local Councils in a space of communion, reflection and discernment, aimed at strengthening vocational identity, renewing commitment to the Association and envisioning new pathways for the Salesian mission.

One of the significant moments was led by the Initial Formation Area, which presented the three stages of the formation process, highlighting the importance of accompanying those who approach the Association on their journey of discernment and vocational growth. Formation was thus reaffirmed as an essential element in strengthening the identity and commitment of future Salesian Cooperators.

During the meeting, participants also reflected on the Programmatic Guidelines for the 2026–2032 period, aimed at continuing to build an Association capable of dreaming, renewing itself and being leaven among young people in order to be fruitful in its mission.

One challenge that received particular emphasis was the animation of new vocations, especially among young people. Participants were encouraged to strengthen spaces of welcome, listening and accompaniment within their communities, enabling new generations to draw closer to Don Bosco’s charism and helping them discover the richness of a vocation lived in service to the Church, society and, especially, young people.

The meeting also invited participants to move towards an Association that is more missionary, youthful, united and close to the peripheries, strengthening shared responsibility, youth protagonism, ongoing formation and synodality as a concrete expression of “walking together”.

As a guide for action, four verbs were proposed: listen, choose, act and give thanks, understood as a pathway for recognizing reality, discerning challenges, making concrete commitments and giving thanks for God’s presence in the shared mission.

The 4th National Meeting thus became an opportunity to celebrate history, renew the vocation and envision the future. One hundred and fifty years after the foundation of the Association, the Salesian Cooperators of Ecuador renew their commitment to keeping Don Bosco’s dream alive and to continuing to be a close and meaningful presence among new generations.

Celebrating 150 years invites us to look back with gratitude on the journey we have travelled and, at the same time, to continue dreaming of the future with hope. Being leaven means allowing ourselves to be transformed so that we can transform our communities and, together with young people, make fruitful the mission that Don Bosco entrusted to us.