By our own correspondent

EAO Region, 25 November 2020 -- Already a few months ago Fr Angel F. Artime, our Rector Major, shared his 'GUIDELINES FOR THE SALESIAN CONGREGATION AFTER GC28' in the 'Post Chapter Reflection' (Acts of the General Council no. 433). The immediate follow up of the General Chapter 28 are his 'Eight Guidelines':

1.Six years for growth in Salesian identity

2.We are invited by the Da Mihi Animas, Coetera Tolle

3.To live the Salesian Sacrament of Presence

4.Formation for being Salesian pastors today

5.Absolute priority for the young, the poorest and most abandoned

6.Together with lay people in the mission and in formation

7.Now is the time for greater generosity

8.Accompany the young towards a sustainable future

On the memorial day of Don Bosco's' Mother, Margaret Occhiena Bosco (25 Nov, 1856) we can be inspired by (probably) the most challenging Guideline no.6 on our 'Common journey with lay people in the mission and in formation'. This priority is simply introduced by Art. 47 of SDB Constitutions:

“We bring about in our works the educatve and pastoral community which involves young people and parents, parents and educators in a family atmosphere, so that it can become a living experience of the Church and a revelation of God’s plan for us. In this community lay people associated with our work make a contribution all their own, because of their experience and pattern of life. We welcome and encourage their collaboration, and we give them the opportunity to get a deeper knowledge of the Salesian spirit and the practice of the preventive system. We foster the spiritual growth of each of them, and to those who may be so inclined we suggest a closer of our mission in the Salesian Family”

In his proposal (p. 43) the Rector Major simply echoes this Art.47 with some very practical and bold suggestions, like - make the Educative and Pastoral Community function in each of our works; include lay people in the formation teams in our initial formation houses; include slowly lay people with strong charismatic identity within province teams (commissions, teams), also taking roles of responsibility, coordination and leadership.... and this process will be one of the priority fields of attention in provincial visitations, provincial chapters, team visits and extraordinary visitations...

Already some 20+ years ago, the late Fr Peter Ho Kuang-ling (1939-2014) former provincial of CIN province, distributed hundreds of copies of a simple postcard with Art 47 of our Constitutions to many youth and lay people in the province. No wonder that we find the Salesian Family and lay people involved as mission partners in many creative ways also today - Young Past pupils, Salesian Cooperators, Bosco Youth Services and leaders in Salesian schools. The path of GC28 is about shared mission and formation with lay people is nothing new and requires clear steps forward. Let's be inspired by a small postcard with Art 47 printed, distributed and lived in China province!

Boscolink resources:

• Rector Major (8) Guidelines 2020-2026
• General Chapter 28: Post Chapter Reflection (ACG 433-complete)

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