Growth in depth, authenticity and spirit of service!

By Our Own Correspondent

HCM City, Vietnam, 3 March 2017 -- Last but not the least: an overview of three encounters of the Successor of Don Bosco with the 130 candidates and young Salesians in initial formation, from the prenovices up to the students of theology in Ho Chi Min City and in Dalat.

Fr. Angel shared openly also with a dialogue main challenges and vision about the growth of Salesian vocation in the world of today.

'Good Lord, tell me, what is your dream about my life? - To be a Salesian Brother, Salesian Priest, Missionary ad Gentes? Indeed do you call me to journey with the street children?' A strong invitation to grow in openness to the call of God in daily discernment to discover the true motivation in their life. And in the same time he reminded to be always more open for the accompaniment of their spiritual guides and formators.

'What does it mean, to be a Salesian of Don Bosco?' In each encounter the Rector Major shared about the essential traits of our identity as people consecrated to God in the service of the poor young people. He invited all to be deep in spiritual life, to cope with the fragmentation and superficiality of present culture. In each meeting the two complementary faces of unique Salesian vocation - Brother and Priest - were highlighted in depth. Indeed the VIE province is appreciated for a long term promotion and strengthening of Salesian Brother vocation with 60 Brothers today.

Also the ongoing temptation of clericalism, often mentioned by Pope Francis as the 'most dangerous temptation of the Catholic community today was part of each encounter. Fr. Angel offered a very concrete hints how to live the priesthood in the playground and in the refectory, never looking for power, honor, money or being a boss. In order to grow with a true heart of the Good Shepherd like Don Bosco the Rector Major invited the students of theology to weary the Salesian Cross which meaning is not yet much known in many provinces around the world.

At present there are in Vietnam 51 prenovices, 11 novices, 38 postnovices and 30 confreres in specific formation for Salesian Priest and Brothers accompanied by rather solid formation equipes in four houses of formation.

This is the last news of the animation visit of Rector Major in Vietnam. Our gratitude goes especially to the SC team (delegate Fr. Peter Chinh with 2 Salesians, one FMA Sister and 2 Lay Mission Partners - video and audio equipe) who accompanied Fr. Angel for one full week always together. We hope the impressions, encounters, inspiration registered and edited will bring multiple charismatic fruits for the Salesian Family in Vietnam. All materials are accessible on the new website of VIE province: http://sdbvn.net.

PHOTOS - RM with the senior aspirants - RM with the prenovices - RM with the novices - RM with the postnovices - RM with the theology students - RM with the Salesian Brothers (11 of 60, Dalat)

---

---