Taking part in the work were Fr Francesco Cereda, Councillor for Formation and Coordinator of the Commission, the three Councillors for the Salesian mission, Fr Fabio Attard, Fr Vaclav Klement, Fr Filiberto Gonzalez, the three Regional Councillors for Europe, Fr Pierfausto Frisoli, Fr José Miguel Nuñez, Fr Stefano Turanský and the Provincials Fr Juan Bosco Sancho, Fr Stefano Martoglio and Fr Marek Chrzan.
The Commission listened to and subsequently offered suggestions regarding the reports which the Councillors for various sectors and the Regional Councillors gave regarding what had been done and what was planned for 2010. It spent time examining the situation regarding re-vitalisation from within; it drew up the criteria for determining the effective significance of the presences in Europe. It considered the list of those presented by the various European Provinces as the representatives for PE and reflected on their roles. It noted the need to encourage greater communication with and the involvement of the confreres in the Provinces and the whole Congregation, possibly by means of the site of the Direzione Generale.
The Commission then studied the individuals and the discernment criteria for the candidates to be missionaries in Europe. It also began to discuss how best to draw up plans for requesting missionaries, to be sent to the Rector Major and the criteria for assessing these requests on the part of the Commission itself. It prepared an assessment form for the Rector Major and the General Council regarding the 13 plans requesting missionaries so far submitted. It also reflected on the ways of welcoming and formation for the new missionaries for Europe.
The meeting was held at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, a significant place for the history and the future of Europe; the spiritual atmosphere aided the spiritual depth of the meeting itself and of the experience. The Provincial of Portugal spoke to the Commission about the challenges and the future prospects of the Province.
The Commission took part in a Mass for the Salesian Family gathered together on 16 January for the presentation of the Strenna.
In July the Commission will meet in Czestochowa in Poland, to continue its work and above all to prepare for the meeting of the Provincials of Europe to be held in Rome between 26 and 28 November.
Published 21/01/2010
