Philippines (Manila-Canlubang-Legazpi-Mabalacat-Paranaque), 15 March 2019 -- During last week, from March 10 to March 15, during five consultation sessions most of the FIN (Philippines North - Malaysia) province confreres contributed to the discernment process for their new superior. The gGreat majority of the 160 SDBs took part the five discernment meeting venues: Mabalacat (North district), Makati (Manila Central district), Seminaryo ng Don Bosco (Paranaque district), Legazpi (Bicol district) and Canlubang (Laguna - South district).
The four step community discernment process starts with listening to the current provincial situation, continues with the needs or priorities for next 6 years, qualities of the provincial and finally with a personal contribution to the Rector Major. The joyful and family spirit is the present characteristics of the FIN province, ending each common prayer with an exclamation 'Serve the Lord' - 'With holy Joy!' Two of the five sessions were also intertwined with the 2019 Strenna Video of the Rector Major 'Holiness For You Too!'
The FIN province has 25 communities (24 in the Luzon island of the Philippines and one in Malaysia, Kuching), as of 1st January 2019 there are 167 professed Salesians and 3 novices (17 Salesian Brothers and 124 Salesian priests and 24 candidates to the priesthood in initial formation) and a very dynamic Salesian Family. The closeness to poor youth, revival of the Salesian Youth and Vocational Ministry, growth in fraternity and creative use of social communication and growth in planning mentality are the most appreciated points of the present situation.
The confreres of St. John Bosco Province (FIN) continue to pray for the following stage of the discernment process, that will be concluded during the summer plenary session of the General Council (June) with the appointment of their new Provincial:
Loving God, may your grace renew us today and keep us faithful in the days ahead. Guide the discernment of Don Bosco's tenth successor in choosing a new leader for our Province. Through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians may we journey into our future as "signs and bearers of God's love for the young". Amen.
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