By Bro. Raymond D. Callo, SDB

K’Long, Vietnam, November 18-22, 2015, there were 45 participants from the different provinces of our EAO region who participated in the formation of new rectors, updating and renewal of present rectors, and the formation of vice rectors (AUL-2, FIN-9, FIS-1, ITM-5, KOR-3, THA-1, PNG-SI-3, CIN-1, VIE-20) at our retreat and seminar center at K’Long, Vietnam. The 5 day formation was facilitated by the resource person Bro. Raymond “Mon” Callo, the EAO coordinator for formation. The formation focused on the Rector as the keeper and promoter of the Salesian charismatic identity as well as his being the guide of the confrere and of the community.

It was a good opportunity for the rectors-in-formation to live together as a regional community with opportunities for prayers in common, light moments for recreation, and serious study and reflection on the topics. The most formative activity mentioned by the participants was the sharing in small groups. It was an opportunity to get to know one another in a deeper manner, to share the joys and pains of the ministry as well as the hopes and desires for the service of authority.

The regional community did not spend their time only in the center, they also had an opportunity to see the sights and hear the sounds of Da Lat, as well as to pray and to share a dinner with the post novices and their formators.

The reflections during the formation sessions also brought to the surface some important challenges facing not only the rectors but every confrere in the Region. One of them is the practice of going for and receiving the “Rendiconto” either formally (practiced most of the time in initial formation) and informally (the variety of expressions as practiced in ongoing formation). The second challenge is the need for our confreres to go for spiritual accompaniment lest we fall into the trap of self-referentiality or the do-it-yourself spirituality as mentioned in GC 27. And the third challenge is the need for the formation of our confreres who will take the service of being parish priests and assistant parish priests.

Definitely the rectors-in-formation found the demands of the service of authority demanding. Nevertheless, they were encouraged by the invitation to ask Don Bosco to teach them how he wants them to be the Rector today of our communities.

All the participants experienced the best of Salesian Vietnamese hospitality. Our gratitude goes to the province of Vietnam.

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