By Do Phuc, SDB

K'Long Vietnam, 20 April 2024 -- The Provincial Formation Sector of Don Bosco Vietnam organized the Quinquennium Annual Formation Program 2024 from April 15 - 19, 2024, at K'Long Retreat Center, Duc Trong, Lam Dong, Vietnam. Participants included Salesian Priests who have been ordained for a period of 5 years and Brothers who have taken final vows for a period of 5 years. At the same time, the program is also open to other Salesians who want to participate, a total of 63 participants. Accompanying Fathers and Brothers in this formation session were Father Provincial - Barnabas Le An Phong, the Councillor for Formation - Fr Joseph Do Duc Dung.

This year, the topic for the formation course was PRACTICAL SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT, with the guidance and sharing of Fr Michael Truong Thanh Tung, SJ.

The course's main content included three parts. Part 1 discussed the concepts, characteristics, and laws of the Spiritual Life, as well as examined the core features of Spiritual Accompaniment. Participants are provided with a clear frame of reference, helping to systematize existing experiences and open up new understandings on a theoretical level.

From this important foundation, participants were led through the second part, emphasizing the practical aspect related to the Content and Method of Spiritual Accompaniment. In this section, to go to the specific steps of the Spiritual Accompaniment process, participants were guided in grasping the necessary knowledge about the pedagogy of Prayer - The Examination of Conscience - Discernment and Finding God's Will, Accompanying Through the Stages of Spiritual Development; and Spiritual Accompaniment Across Psychological Ages.

After learning the basic knowledge and skills of Accompaniment in Christian life in general in parts 1 and 2, the third part of the course discussed the specific topic of Spiritual Accompaniment in the process of spiritual accompaniment of Congregations, specifically with the following points: Overview of Spiritual Accompaniment in Formation for religious life; Spiritual Companion specialized in stages of training for religious life and important knowledge related to the Inner and Outer field in guiding religious life.

Interspersed with Father Michael's presentations, participants also had time to ask questions from practical experiences and receive answers from Father Michael, along with extensive instructions to help resolve questions.

Overall, the formation course has brought certain benefits, helping Salesians gain important knowledge in educating and accompanying young people in different Salesian environments.

To express gratitude to the Province through Fr Provincial, Fr Joseph, and especially Father Michael Truong Thanh Tung, SJ, at the end of the Regular Formation Course, Father Bartolomeo Nguyen Quang Lam Son represented everyone and expressed words of gratitude. At the same time, he also did not forget to thank Salesians and the staff at K'Long Retreat Center for their sacrifices and service, which helped the study days to take place well.

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