FIN Province quarterly recollection 2018
Paranaque City, the Philippines, 27 August 2018 -- The Salesians of Don Bosco of the Philippines North Province spent the whole day today, August 27, for their Province Quarterly Recollection at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco, and at the Don Bosco Center of Studies.
Inspired by the Strenna 2018 “Let us Cultivate the Art of Listening and of Accompaniment” and in preparation for the Year of the Youth and for the Provincial and General Chapters, this year’s recollection theme was: Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.
Before going to the ‘What must we do?’ for this Year of the Youth and for this two Chapters, the confreres decided to go on a spiritual journey and discernment that will allow them to go first to the: ‘Who are the young people of today?’ and ‘Who are we Salesians for the young people of today?’ This recollection is just one of steps that the confreres of the FIN Province plan to undergo as they wish to deepen in their desire for a genuine renewal of their being Salesians of Don Bosco who are called to be apostles of the young and for a renewed Salesian Youth Ministry for, with, and through the young people.
The day began at 8:30am with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB, the FIN Provincial Superior, as the main celebrant at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. After a short break, all the confreres proceeded to the Shrine’s Auditorium for the recollection input.
To help them in the process of discernment they wish to undergo, the organizers of this recollection invited three young people who are actively involved in the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) as their resource speakers: Stephen Borja, Jude Liao, and Leslie Ann Rosal.
Stephen shared about the programs of the EYC especially preparations for the Synod on Youth this October and the Year of the Youth in the Philippines this 2019 that is deeply inspired by the experience of the two disciples with the Lord Jesus on their journey to Emmaus. Jude presented a comprehensive profile of the youth of today’s generation. It began with one basic question that the youth is asking: ‘Do you really know who we are?' Leslie Ann shared her personal journey as a young person and her journey at present as a youth leader and a young teacher. What they shared to the assembly were very informative and were truly inspiring. The Salesians learned many new things from their sharing that will certainly help them in their discernment process.
After lunch at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco, the confreres spent an hour of personal reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament. This was also a time to meet the merciful Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There were three questions that were given to everybody for their personal reflection.
- What are your impressions of today’s young people?
- What do the young people expect of the society? Of the Church?
- What can the young people contribute to society? To the Church?
After the holy hour, the confreres grouped themselves by local communities to share their reflections on the three questions.
The praying of the Midafternoon Prayer and the praying of the Exercise for a Happy Death formally concluded this day’s quarterly recollection.
The confreres took some afternoon snacks before going back to their respective houses.
