By John Raymond

Jakarta, Indonesia, 12 August 2024 -- The 8th EAO Salesian Brothers Congress, organized by the Salesian Province of Indonesia (INA), took place from 4-8 August 2024, at the Puspas Samadi Pastoral Center in Klender, East Jakarta. With the theme “Living Don Bosco’s Dream for the Young of Today in the Footsteps of St. Artemide Zatti, Venerable Simon Srugi, and Blessed Stephen Sandor,” the Congress aimed to deepen the vocation of the Salesian Brotherhood and share best practices across provinces.

Over a hundred Salesian Brothers, along with some Salesian priests from all Salesian Provinces in the region, attended the event. Fr. Nguyen Thinh Phuoc Joseph, SDB, the Regional Councilor for EAO, and representatives from the Central Council welcomed the participants and conveyed the Rector Major’s message of support and prayer for the Congress's success.

The attendance of a sizable number of young Salesian Brothers, most of whom have just finished their specific formation, was noteworthy and quite impressive, having come from different provinces. This is a clear indication that the Salesian Brother vocation is flourishing in the region despite the reality of declining numbers of brothers overall. Their strong bond and fraternity are a testament to the dynamism and thriving nature of the Salesian Congregation.

This year’s Congress saw not only Salesians but also members of the Salesian Family, including Salesian Cooperators (ASC), Salesian Sisters (FMA), and young people, actively involved in organizing and managing the event, strengthening the needed workforce among the organizers. They warmly welcomed participants, guided them to their accommodations, and assisted with activities, ensuring everyone felt at home. The remarkable collaboration among the Salesian Family highlighted the importance of fostering such unity across all Salesian Provinces.

As the formal discussions began, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, SDB, the Congregation’s Economer General, addressed the assembly with a keynote speech outlining key issues and concerns facing the congregation. He emphasized that to effectively tackle these challenges, Salesian Brothers need to actively contribute and prepare themselves with essential skills and formal education—essentially, to professionalize - to meet the demands of the mission.

Fr. Ivo Coelho, the Councillor for Formation, shared the life of holiness of Venerable Simon Srugi and invited everyone present to focus their attention on him as an Icon of Fraternity. Bro. Nádudvari Géza introduced the group to the life and example of Blessed Stephen Sandor amid the challenges of the communist regime in Hungary. Central to his sharing was the spirituality and professionalism of Blessed Sandor in the daily living of his vocation as a Salesian Brother, who did not achieve any extraordinary accomplishments but was an example of consistency and simplicity in conducting his mission and being a witness to the people around him. With the testimony of Bro. Fernando Saade, the assembly was led to reflect on the life of St Artemides Zatti, who, despite the trials of sickness and being transferred away from a familiar place, managed to continue his works of charity with responsible and creative professionalism, bringing Christ to those who were sick and suffering and becoming a brother to all he met.

This Congress plays a vital role in deepening fraternal communion among the Salesian Brothers of the EAO Region. It immerses everyone in the spirit and mission of the Salesian Brothers, aligning efforts with the example set by the Three Holy Brothers. Through this shared experience, we are inspired and encouraged to embody and disseminate the charism of Don Bosco, adapting his vision to meet the needs of today’s youth. The Congress not only strengthens our bonds but also renews our commitment to the Salesian mission, fostering a united and dynamic approach to addressing contemporary challenges in our ministry.

For the PGS Province, we established that a key challenge we need to address is to make known and foster greater appreciation for the Salesian Brother vocation within and outside the walls of our schools. We have formulated several achievable actions to reach this end:

Active promotion of the vocation through talks and conferences in various gatherings organized by our own (e.g., Salesian Family Gatherings, Wantok Bosco Camp, SYM Camp, Good Morning Talks during the feast days and memorials of the Holy Salesian Brothers)

Utilization of different media, websites, social media, and the Salesian Bulletin in promotion activities

Inspiring witness of the Salesian Brothers in the PGS Province through their lives in the community and the practice of professionalism in their conduct of the mission

In conclusion, the 8th EAO Salesian Brothers Congress has been a resounding success, showcasing the vitality and unity of the Salesian Brotherhood across the region. The event not only celebrated the legacy of Don Bosco and the exemplary lives of the three Holy Brothers but also invigorated our commitment to the Salesian mission. As we move forward, the insights gained and the bonds forged during the Congress will drive our efforts to promote and enhance the Salesian Brother vocation, ensuring its continued relevance and impact in our communities and beyond.

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