By Fr. Matthew Le Minh Tri, SDB

The confrere who live and work in Taiwan feel that the mission is undergoing a timely renewal. Thanks to the Rector Major for convoking an extra-ordinary visitation in the person of don Klement VACLAV, EAO Regional. Fr. Klement comforted us with his humble attitude of listening.

The general feeling of every confrere is that the visitation was very positive and the situation itself was crying out for a visitation. In addition, the Regional’s visitation report, containing recommendations and guidelines, reflects deep listening on the part of Fr. Klement. Here it is important to mention in specific terms that which we feel will take the mission of Don Bosco forward.

The comprehensive SWOT analysis prepared by Fr. Klement is a valuable document for understanding the situation of Taiwan, in all its aspects. (1) The SWOT analysis has reminded us that it is not all weaknesses and threats surrounding us, but there is plenty of strengths and opportunities to build on. (2) The SWOT analysis of the visitation has encouraged communities to draw up their own SWOTs and has improved the understanding of our mission (3) In the open session of the last Taiwan Affairs Commission meeting, the SWOT analysis plus the visitation report influenced our thinking, reflection and vision of the mission in Taiwan.

The visitation report affirmed an important point that our mission in Taiwan, particularly in Tainan and Chaochou, still benefits needy youth and this was very motivating. We need to give Salesian formation to the few lay mission partners we have and increase collaboration with them. We have realised that the school in Tainan does not have a Salesian formation system which accompanies teachers from the time they arrive in the school up to the time when they retire. We have also realised that we need to increase collaboration with the FMA sisters.

After the extra-ordinary visitation, the chapels of our communities do not look the same. Fr. Klement presented each community with the icon of Christ the True Vine. Every confrere who comes into the chapel to pray, will first genuflect and when he rises, his eyes will not miss a glimpse of the icon. The icon, as we all know, captures the spirit of the 27th General Chapter. We thank Fr. Klement for this creative way of strengthening our fidelity to the Chapter. If you look carefully, the icon is a special version with the Holy Trinity. The icon animates us on a daily basis.

The visitation made us aware that certain sectors of our apostolate are behind with certain developments. (1)We realise the importance of keeping records, especially when a new confrere has to take over a certain apostolate. As a result, we are in the process of organising this oversight. (2) We also realise the technological direction we must go in order to meet the youth of Taiwan. (3)On the other hand, the confreres are positive about the need to do something for Aboriginal youth in Taiwan, and even an establishment among them. We are grateful to God and the confreres who built solid structures that have been standing for years.

All in all, the visitation was a moment of grace and renewal for every confrere. The Taiwan Affairs Commission has benefitted a lot from the visitation in terms of missionary animation and the acquiring of a new perspective. Not so long ago, they held a week-long high-level motivated by the extra-ordinary visitation.