austraLasia

20220117_EAO-(1).jpg

By EAO Salesian Family Coordinating Group

Valdocco-EAO, 16 January 2022 -- A memorable world-wide encounter of the 40th SF Spirituality Days concluded with the Eucharist in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco, celebrated by the Rector Major on 16 January 2022. Thanks to modern technology we were able not only to watch each of the 4 days on our home screens, but most of the EAO province also contributed to the regional level program 14-15 January and also met together during these four days. It was a very enriching charismatic experience. And what comes next?

Creative Evaluation (EAO level until January 31)

Online EAO evaluation is open on the internet (Google forms) with some fresh insights and future pointers:

"This event is much better than last year. It was my suggestion to get young people as hosts and truly this year the program is more animated having them as hosts and it is very entertaining particularly on the EAO level. Group sharing are very enriching as we get to know more about other salesians. The Strenna is very timely and the the life of St. Francis de Sales is very inspiring. I am truly blessed to be part of the Salesian family... This event was for me very inspiring and unifying the whole Salesian family. Viva Don Bosco, Viva Saint Francis de Sales and all the Salesian Family Saints! Viva to all 16 groups of the Salesian family in our EAO region. All because of Love and out of Love!"

The evaluation at local, provincial, regional and world level is always a very fruitful occasion to move forward. Don't miss your own contribution!

Prayers and Novena to St Francis de Sales

Yes, Geneva's Bishop Francis de Sales is a Saint and we not very often pray to him or through his intercession. This year offers a good occasion. On the Boscolink you find some resources (Novena, Prayers to Saint Francis de Sales)

Resources on St Francis de Sales

Thanks to this 400th anniversary of our Saint Patron, we are blessed by many new and renewed publications - Biography of St Francis de Sales, Spirituality related books and Don Bosco & St Francis related publications. Some of them are available on the Boscolink website. Also the Valdocco based St Francis de Sales exhibition offers many quality materials.

Salesian Youth Movement contest on 24 January (#symsales400)

SYM World level coordinators propose 3 actions for their members: (1) A common prayer service will be sent to SYM members. The SYM groups gather on 24 January to pray, and reflect on St Francis of Sales. (2) Each province asks two young people to share a video message on his life-teachings (2 min) or on the Strenna 2022. (3) Promote creative paintings and drawings on St Francis de Sales or the Strenna 2022 at province level. Let the gentleness of the Saint we celebrate, kindle the hearts of young people and spread far and wide (#symsales400).

What matters is each province animation in 2022

The 'Salesian Year' 2022 started with a valuable charismatic inspiration from the 10th successor of Don Bosco. However it doesn't necessarily reach each individual member of the large, 32 group-strong Salesian Family. Year-long animation projects are already visible and some province level events began last year: FIS province have prepared a 24 January talk on 'Teachings of St Francis of Sales, Titular Patron of the Salesians of Don Bosco' (by Fr Adrina Mendoza, SDB) at 6 PM (zoom link: http://bit.ly/francisofsales (streamed LIVE via Don Bosco FIS FB page). Japan (GIA) have scheduled their 2022 Salesian Family Day fro 14 February with the launching of the traditional 'manga style Strenna poster' enriched by the Japanese SF-EAO YouTube channel materials already in Nihongo. Korea will soon be launching another translated publication on St Francis de Sales etc.

Let's make this 'Salesian Year' a time of spiritual and apostolic growth for the whole 'Salesian Family of Don Bosco', while we eagerly wait the promised message from Pope Francis, requested together by the 'Salesian Family of St Francis de Sales' last year.