Ecuador.A “yes” that is strong with the years

Every year, the renewal of our promise as Salesian Cooperators invites us to look at the heart and record this first “yes” given with love and hope. It is not a simple repetitive act, but rather a profound reaffirmation of our lay vocation, of our commitment to Christ and to young people, in the style of Don Bosco.

This gesture of us as a Salesian Family, records that, in the midst of our occupations, we are bearers of a mission: to keep the King of God present every day, with joy, encouragement and loyalty.

The Project of Apostolic Life tells us that this renewal is a “conscious and lasting response” that strengthens our path and revives our identity. This time of renewal we are available, welcomed and full of hope, we are sure that God continues to call us, and that, like María, we respond with confidence: “Hágase en mí según tu palabra”.

Our renewed promise is light for others and strength to continue building a more sought-after Church, glad that we walk in synodality.

Colombia.

The province of Salesian Cooperators of Bogotá – Colombia celebrates the 3rd and 4th of May at the X Provincial Elective and Formative Congress; in the Spiritual Center of the Hermanas Adoratrices barrio 20 de Julio of the same city. Attended by Señora Deliana Almendras Ayaviri of the South Pacific Caribbean region of the Bolivian nationality and Señora Verónica Marinos Zúñiga secretary of the Southern Pacific Caribe region, of the Ecuadorian nationality; Also accompanied by the event were the sisters: Sister Beatriz Rodríguez, FMA delegate for the South Pacific Caribbean Region, Sister Karent Saavedra FMA province of La Chinca delegated for the SSCC Province of Bogotá, the Salesians of Don Bosco with the participation of the Provincial Superior of the San Pedro Claver inspectorate of Bogotá Father Rubén Darío Jaramillo, SDB, Father Jonatan Camilo Plazas, SDB delegate inspectorial for the Salesian Family and Father Luis Bernardo Mur, SDB delegate SSCC inspector of San Pedro Claver de Bogotá.

On the first day (3 May) we experienced a training space centered on the vocation of the Salesian Cooperator and on his service to the association, for this purpose. Then Mrs Laura Herrera attended the Youth Synod which took place from 11 to 16 August 2024, Turin – Valdocco in this conversation which brought great results to the Association of Salesian Cooperators in front of the presence, accompaniment and education of the young people.

Continuing with the formation in the vocational class, Sor Liliana Montaño, FMA, focused on charla in four aspects that were: The vocation, The call to life: Don de Dios, the call to the faith – meeting with Christ and Clubs to live our Christian vocation, asking how to compromise on a personal and community level the fortress of the spaces of encounter with the brothers to follow being raised in the world; Next, Mrs. Deliana Almendras Ayaviri spoke on the topic of the vocation of the Salesian Cooperator, highlighting three pillars that must be present in the province and in each center: Salesian espirituality, apostolic compromise and community life all the previous ones from the orientations of the identity card and in project of apostolic life of the SSCC. This day ends with the Eucharist presided over by Father Jonathan Camilo Plazas, SDB and the postulation of the candidates for the Council of the Triduum 2025 – 2028.

Sunday 4 May begins in the morning with the holy hour of vital space for spiritual preparation before the elective moment led by Leonor Martínez, subsequently, Señora Stella Martínez Provincial Coordinator gives to know the information of the three-year period 2022 – 2025 from which the growth of the association of Salesian cooperators with 17 active centers and a growth of new vocations to serve the mission, next, if God begins the election of the electoral commission from which there were elected representatives for the señor Javier Rojas president, the señora Ana Gabriela Bravo electoral secretary, the señora Elvinia Salas and the señor Alejandro Girón escrutadores, subsequently Postulate the possible candidates and start the process of Elections of the new provincial council for this act of voting were elected for the period 2025-2028 by the following members: 1. Diego Rodríguez – Provincial Coordinator, 2. Sandra Bernal – Provincial Trainer 3. Dora Rivera – Responsible for initial training 4. Carolina Quintero – Responsible for the youth entertainment y familiar, 5. Nicolai Correa