(ANS - Roma) - The meeting of the Salesian Masters of Novices concluded at the Generalate on Saturday 12 March. This was a first group of Salesians engaged in formation who spent two full and intensive weeks sharing experiences, prayer, fraternity and the study of the specific issues related to the ministry of formation.

The participants were all the Novice Masters from the American Southern Cone, Mediterranean, and Europe North Central Regions, plus some from East Asia-Oceania, Inter-America and Africa-Madagascar, a total of nineteen.

The meeting was accompanied and coordinated by Fr Ivo Coelho, Councillor for Formation, together with Cleo Murguia and Fr Silvio Roggia, team members from the Department of Formation. In daily prayer and guided meditation, the Novice Masters re-lived the awareness of being first "students" of the Master, the One - evangelically speaking - capable of attracting them to Himself, shaping their hearts and making them effective instruments in assisting the novices on the path to Salesian consecrated life.

The inputs were rich and varied, further enriched by the experience of the speakers. The methodology of discussion in groups and in the assembly helped both new Novice Masters and those of longer experience to have in hand the right tools to work on themselves in a continuous and never-ending process of formation, and so render more effective the delicate service they are called to perform on behalf of the Church and the Congregation.

The final address by the Rector Major warmed the hearts of the participants, strengthened in them the hope of working with trust and generosity, and encouraged them to continue along this path, with a renewed openness to the Spirit who is at work in the heart of Novices.

Published 14/03/2016