By Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB
EAO Regional Councilor
Tiruchy, India, February 24, 2016 - Three months out of the EAO region, for the first and last time during this 6 year period. It's more than an usual 'extraordinary' visitation, for me it's a discovery of the Salesian Charism in the fastest growing Salesian Region of South Asia (2800 SDB with an average of 125 novices every year).
Young and growing Salesian province
From January 30 to April 30, according the letter of the Rector Major, there is time for this extraordinary visitation of the most southern Salesian province of India. The Tiruchy province was established only in 1999 (with 148 confreres), now with the 29 canonical communities, 220 Salesian confreres (122+ Salesian priests, 6 Salesian brothers and 90 candidates to the priesthood) and 15 novices is one of the most vibrant SDB provinces around the whole Congregation.
Some special traits of the Salesian Charism
Vocation promotion with it's yearly cycle, brings about 100 possible candidates to the May (one month long) vocation camp, after which some 15 candidates are 'discerned - selected' for the Aspirantate stage.
Salesian mission is expressed in many schools, three colleges, street children works, well animated parishes with many stations, deep involvement in the local territory with special initiatives like 'Children parliament' and Women Self-Help groups in the villages, Eco-club in most of our works. The impact of well animating and organized 'Cauveri' PDO (Planning and Development Office) is felt in all local communities.
Consistently strong Salesian commmunities
Preferential option for the poor youth especially in the rural areas of southern Tamil Nadu (villages in the interior and coastal areas), with only few larger self-sustainable education institutions in the cities is the main trait of INT province.
All 29 Salesian presences are reasonably consistent in numbers and quality of religious life.After the establishment of Tiruchy province (detached from Chennai - Madras provinces in 1999) with only 8 SDB communities, there are now 23 SDB canonical communities.
Charismatic roots and bright future
In the terrritory of INT province is located the 110 years old first Salesian presence of Thanjavur (Tanjor) where the first Salesian missionaries landed in January 1906. Charismatic growth is expressed in growth of Salesian Family (400+ Salesian cooperators, recently starting ADMA and quite vibrant groups of Don Bosco Past pupils coming together). There are more than 10 missionaries working out of India and some confreres in other South Asian provinces.
Requesting your prayers, that these precious moments of communion and exchange of experience between the two Regions - South Asia and EAO - may bring many fruits for the benefit of the poor youth and growth of Salesian Charism.
