In the last month, the Salesian Cooperators of the Province of Medellín – Colombia, have had two very significant moments that renew us and motivate us to continue as an Association within the Salesian Family:

1. On July 28, 2024, we participated in the Celebration of the Eucharist of the possession of the New Inspector of the San Luis Beltrán Inspectorate of Medellín – Colombia, Father José Ariel Guerrero Castro, in the Parish of Our Lady of Suffrage.

The Provincial Council of the Association of Salesian Cooperators was present and expressed its congratulations to the New Inspector, joining in prayer with the entire Salesian Family, so that the Lord blesses and makes the Salesian charism and mission fruitful in the next six-year period 2024 – 2030.

We highlight the visit of the Regional Councilor for Inter America, Father Hugo Orozco Sánchez, who presided over the Eucharist and left us the following beautiful message, within the framework of the Gospel of the day, which had as its central axis the sign of the multiplication of the loaves (John 6, 1-15):

REMEMBER and THANK for knowing the Salesian Family and returning to “my Galilee”.
RENEW is rediscovering my Salesian vocation, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who makes all things new.
OFFER with generosity and humility the little or much that I have.
RECOGNIZE what other people have done for me.
SHARE bread with everyone, in an attitude of trust in Providence.
Don Bosco’s model of authority is fatherhood at the service of the Salesian Family: he watches over unity and is affectionate with everyone, especially the weakest.
Do not forget that Faith is realized in actions.
The Salesian Family must bear witness to unity, humility and service; with the young in our minds and hearts, always seeking their salvation.

2. On August 18, 2024, the Association of Salesian Cooperators participated in the Feast of Don Bosco, at the María Auxiliadora School in Medellín – Colombia, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the participation of all the groups of the Salesian Family in the territory.

The Feast had as its central theme the deepening of the Strenna of the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, “A Dream that makes us dream.” After a prayer about Don Bosco’s 9-year dream and its implications in our lives, Father José Antonio Santís, Delegate of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, Province of Medellín – Colombia, invited us to think and express how the dream lives in the most important spaces of today’s world: family, friends, work, civil society, the street, the Salesian Family, the apostolate, the socio-political field, among others.

As a conclusion of the work, it was said that we must return to welcoming, to connecting humanly, with trust, humility, wisdom, empathy, patience, with a look that cares and protects; giving testimony in community and hand in hand with Mary Help of Christians. {

Later, each group of the Salesian Family made its presentation to the new Father Inspector, Father José Ariel Guerrero, telling him that he can count on us to carry out the Mission and the Dream that Don Bosco entrusted to us. After the presentation of the groups, we sang Don Bosco’s birthday.

Finally, at the closing Eucharist of the Feast of Don Bosco, the Inspector Father José Ariel Guerrero gave us the following message:

The Crucified One fills everything! God performs the miracle of the growth of our Salesian vocation.
Wisdom is a sign of the presence of God, it is that Gift that leads us to act in accordance with the designs of God.
Wisdom is built on 7 pillars, in Salesian terms, they would be:
The Eucharist.
Mary Help of Christians.
The Holy Church and the Holy Father.
Salesian youth spirituality – the charity of the Good Shepherd.
Christian humanism – the preventive system.
The Salesian mission.
The union or common union between all the members of the Salesian Family.
Discernment: acting with moderation and charity.
Living with the Lord. Nourish yourself! I am the Bread of Life! Take Communion and be filled with Grace. Let us ask the Lord to live in our lives.
Sow the Gospel with joy, strengthened by the Eucharist.