By EAO Missionary Animation Team
EAO, 02 Nov 2024 -- Sept 12 to October 26, 2024, were 7 full weeks of 'Respiro Course' which comes from the Italian ‘respiro’ meaning ‘breath’. 24 participants from all continents visited Becchi, Capriglio, Chieri, Castelnuovo, San Giovanni da Riva, Mondonio, Mornese, Annecy, Rome, and Assisi. There were 10 participants from our EAO region: Fr. Michael Gaikwad and Salesian Cooperator Mr Chem Moeum (Cambodia); Brs. Lui Leiofi Sueina and Falefa Elia (Pacific Delegation) and Fr. Barnard Alfred (Pakistan) Fr. Vester Casaclang (FIN) Br. Bosco Hai (Delegation of Our Lady of Lavang, Vietnam); as well as three Caritas Sisters of Jesus (Sr Chiho Ueda, Sr Yeongmi Hong, and Sr Miyoung Jung).
“The Respiro course deepened our understanding of the historical Don Bosco. As well as the missionary spirit of our Founder” explained Br. Falefa. “A spirit that needs to be strengthened and upheld in our time, a spirit that pushes us to our limits and opens new opportunities for young people around the world who need to experience the loving-kindness of God. This is the Spirit that will help each Salesian to hold firm to his ministry as an instrument of the gospel of joy, love, and kindness wherever he may be sent.”
“The course has been an incredible experience. My Salesian life and identity have been enriched as I saw with my own eyes, touched, and felt these places, stepping on places where Don Bosco once lived, as well as where St. Francis de Sales worked and preached”, said Br. Lui Leiofi Sueina. “I am greatly enriched and strengthened in my vocation as a Salesian Cooperator,” exclaimed Mr. Chem. “Now I have so much to share in forming other Cambodian Cooperators.”
Our pilgrimage from Colle to Turin to Mornese, Annecy and Rome was done in such a way that we had our several ‘a ha!” moments to realize the ‘connections’ of the episodes and events in the life of Don Bosco and the first Salesians which we know by heart and the ways our history evolved in ways that cannot be overlooked but must be seriously considered,” exclaimed Fr. Vester Casaclang “… And since the participants came from different members of the Salesian family, we inadvertently found ourselves living, learning, listening, sharing, experiencing, serving and praying like a real community. It was the Salesian Family being Family!”
Similarly, Fr. Michael Gaikwad pointed out that “following the footsteps of Don Bosco, of Sts. Peter and Paul in Rome, the audience with Pope Francis, etc, I feel that the Respiro Course has re-instilled in me the sense of the Church and of the Salesian Congregation. It has given me time to breathe and focus on God’s breathing in my Salesian missionary vocation. It has also given me time to pause and challenged me to breathe in unison with God’s breath.”
Fr. Barnard considers the experience “a distinctive program, encapsulating respiration, aspiration, and inspiration within a singular experience. True to its essence, it serves as both a privilege and a revitalizing opportunity for individuals seeking to renew their missionary zeal and fortify their vocational commitment. It was an experience akin to the novitiate!” “… Walking in the historical footsteps of St. Paul, and contemplating the martyrdom of both St. Peter and St. Paul, represents a foundational moment that can deeply inspire and germinate the missionary spirit in any Christian willing to embrace this calling. Indeed, the Corso Respiro is profound grace,” he added.
Finally, Br. Bosco Hai summarises the experience: “We were able to follow calmly the footsteps of Don Bosco, Mother Mazzarello, and St. Francis de Sales with abundant time to pray and meditate. But the real success of the course, according to me, is in giving the participants the possibility of living authentically the Salesian family spirit and feeling the urge of conversion from within!”
