EAO 11 January 2022 -- Thanks to the successful 2021 first online experience of the SF Spirituality Days (SFSD) 39th edition in 2021, the Rector Major and the SF leaders want to continue this excellent way of sharing our spirituality far and wide. Since 1973 in Rome, then with some interruption and since 2017 at Valdocco (Turin), this becomes an annual chance to share our common Salesian apostolic spirituality together. Last year some 8000 Salesian Family members met in the digital space with the help of many technicians and translators. From 13-16 January this year we have a second similar opportunity.
Why are we invited to come together for this 4 days?
A large world-wide family with a minimum of 200,000-500,000 members needs to deepen its roots (spirituality), needs to strengthen the bonds (communion) among the 32 different groups in the family and also seeks to be motivated on the journey with the annual gift of the new 'Strenna' given by the 10th Successor of Don Bosco: "Do all through love, nothing through constraint!" (400th death anniversary of St Francis de Sales).
Where will the 40th SF Spirituality Days in 2022 be conducted?
At Valdocco (Turin-Italy) some 200 registered Family members (including the complete General Council of Caritas Sisters) will celebrate this occasion around the Rector Major, Fr. Angel F. Artime with talks, sharing, prayers and living together for 4 days (January 13-16). During those days a temporary exhibition on the 400th year of St Francis de Sales will be on display as well.
At World level some 3000 registered Salesian Family members and more unregistered SF members will join in real time through LIVE streaming in 5 'world languages' (Italian, Spanish, English, French and Portuguese on the ANS Facebook) and in another 7 EAO languages (Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Tetum, Thai and Vietnamese: on the SF-EAO respective YouTube channels (total of 12 languages).
When will this year's SF Spirituality Days be held?
At World level on 13-16 January daily for two hours at Valdocco in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and in the Theatre, and this program is open in LIVE streaming at 13:00 Italian time (GMT+1) to the whole Salesian Family around the world.
At EAO regional level on 14-15 January (two hours each day at 3 PM Manila time, GMT+8) with Fr Jay David (FIN) as moderator and the whole program this year with 'Made by EAO provinces' (January 14 focus on St Francis de Sales and January 15 focus on the SF Identity Charter)
Who can participate in the 2022 SF Spirituality Days?
Any member of the Salesian Family or Friend of Don Bosco can follow the main program in real time in one of the 12 available languages, a total of 12 hours on Facebook (5 languages) or YouTube (English + 7 EAO languages). The group sharing is the responsibility of each EAO province. It will follow on Zoom (or similar platform) after the end of the EAO program (at 5 PM Manila time, GMT+8) among the respective province groups of the Salesian Family - each day along one question.
What can we get from these SF Spirituality Days at EAO level?
On the 400th death anniversary of St Francis de Sales (1622-2022) we have a lot of inspiration from his life story, spirituality, missionary action or his humanistic Christian approach and spiritual accompaniment of lay people.
We get to know (world level) some SF groups from Latin America or in Europe and especially some EAO-based Salesian Family groups not yet well known - like the CDB (Volunteers with Don Bosco, secular institute), ADMA, SQM (Sisters of the Queenship of Mary), Past Pupils of Don Bosco. We will be enriched by different ways of Salesian prayer thanks to creative approaches from Solomon Islands, China - Philippines, Japan and Cambodia
What results can we at each EAO province level?
Of course, each province benefits from this Salesian Family event as a result of its preparation and the synergy within and among the different Salesian Family groups. In this sense the small Cambodia delegation may be a model: there are 65 registered participants for these SF spirituality days with 4 FMA communities (=4 groups), 3 SDB communities (=3 groups) and one SIHM sister as one group, while the Salesian Cooperators and DB Past Pupils form another two groups. Given the pandemic restrictions in our EAO countries this year there will be more chance for online participation in smaller groups gathered in one place (e.g. like last year in Vietnam and Thailand). At the end of the day in this family group sharing some concrete resolutions or initiative for this truly 'Salesian Year of 2022' will emerge.
What can you prepare for the 2022 Spirituality Days?
If you are not yet aware of this world and (EAO) regional event, first you need to browse the whole 'package' for January 13-16 (Boscolink). Your can already watch the 19 minute Strenna video with the narrative of the Rector Major, prepare some questions for the speakers or find the 'Introduction to the Devote Life' of Saint Francis de Sales in the library (It is available on SDL as well in digital form). Probably the first step is to download the official commentary of the Strenna 2022 or other materials.
Since the whole 12 hour online program in 4 days and 6 sessions will be available on YouTube, you can already find out the most interesting parts and get the respective text for your personal, group or community nourishment.
How do you follow this 40th edition of SF Spirituality Days? - On the YouTube!
We are happy to share SF - EAO channels (Live streaming in 8 EAO languages) open to the public and available also after January 16:
Resources online:
Strenna 2022:
- SF Spirituality Days 2022 talks and materials in English
- Salesian Family Identity Charter (ed. 2012-EAO languages)
- Valdocco-temporary exbihition on 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales
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