Tigaraksa, Indonesia, 15 March 2024 -- The Salesian Confreres of the Vice-Province of St Louis Versiglia, Indonesia (INA) have just finished holding their third Provincial Chapter, which took place at the Salesian Community of Don Bosco Tigaraksa, Tangerang, Indonesia, from 11–15 March 2024. The Provincial Chapter was held for the third time since the Salesian Vice-Province of Indonesia was established in 2018. The Provincial Chapter, as mandated in the Salesian Constitution, reads: "The provincial chapter is the fraternal gathering in which the local communities strengthen their sense of belonging to the provincial community through their common concern for its general problems." (C. 170). The Provincial Chapter of INA Vice-Province was attended by 17 Confreres, representing 55 Salesian Confreres in Indonesia.
The preparation of the INA Provincial Chapter started in October 2023. Fr Andrew Wong, as the INA Provincial Superior, assigned Fr. Silversius Andang as the moderator of this third INA Provincial Chapter. The INA Provincial Chapter opened with a short recollection led by Fr Petrus Pehan Tukan, SDB. In his reflection, he reminded the chapter participants to reflect deeply on the theme of the 29th General Chapter, "Passionate for Jesus Christ, Dedicated to the Young—For a faithful and prophetic experience of our Salesian vocation." According to Fr Peter, Salesians in the INA Vice Province must strive to be united with Christ, imitating and admiring Him in everything so that they can dedicate themselves to the youth. This is the real expression of being passionate for Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, there were reports from each sector in the INA Vice-Province, and it was concluded by Father Wong, as the provincial superior, who gave the state of the INA Vice province and his analysis based on the road map from the Rector Major to the Salesians in INA Vice Province in 2018. He also expected the active participation of the Confreres during the provincial chapter.
During the Provincial Chapter, the chapter participants were divided into three groups to discuss the three important topics proposed by the Rector Major in preparation for the 29th General Chapter. The three topics were animation and care of the true life of every Salesian; together as Salesians, Salesian Family, and Lay People 'With' and 'For' the Young; and 'A courageous verification and redesigning of the governance of the congregation at all levels'.
The third INA Provincial Chapter closed by electing a delegate and his substitute from the INA Vice Province for the 29th General Chapter. Fr. Provincial Andrew Wong, in his closing remarks of the third Provincial Chapter, expressed his gratitude to God for His love for the Salesian Confreres and appreciated every Confrere who faithfully and actively participated in the chapter from beginning to end. He also appreciated the Don Bosco Tigaraksa community for facilitating the provincial chapter.
