(ANS – Krakow) – Between 5 and 7 April, the Salesian Theologate in Krakow played host for the Meeting of the Formation  Delegates of the three European Regions.

The meeting was organised by the General Councillor for Formation, Fr Francesco Cereda and his collaborators in the Department  Fr Chrys Saldanha and Fr Horacio López, former Provincial of Argentina-La Plata who has recently joined the Department.

The agenda for the meeting, held in a calm and fraternal spirit, was mainly concerned with the initial and ongoing formation being provided in the three European Regions and the various Provinces.

On the first day the two issues considered were: the Salesian consecrated vocation in its two forms and the process of affective maturity. The vocation of the Salesian priest and of the Salesian brother were examined and compared, and the revision of the “Ratio” regarding the initial formation of the Salesian brother introduced. In speaking about affective maturity the “Letter of Pope Benedict to the Catholics of Ireland” was also considered and the Delegates agreed to work on a process to identify procedures for formation to affective maturity and to  chastity, in both initial and ongoing formation.

The second day was spent studying the Project for Europe and the contribution which Formation can make. The first step and the foundation of the  Project for Europe is the regeneration from within of Salesians and their presences; for this it is important to identify and clearly define the nature of the consecrated Salesian, the profile of the Salesian community and the pastoral presence and mission. The topic of “European formation,” was then considered starting from the opportunities and challenges presented by the culture of the old continent and the signs of life which the Spirit is awakening in the Church, in Consecrated Life and in the Congregation in Europe. Practical issues dealt  with were the experience of missionaries on practical training and their specific formation, the invitation of those in formation to the  World Youth Day in Madrid and the meeting for European novices this May.

Other items on the agenda  on the third day were: examining together the statistics for 2009 of the three Regions in particular; the presentation of experiences of the formation of lay people and Salesians together in the Province of  Barcelona, in Lyon in France and in the Heverlee centre in North Belgium. Some time was also given to comparing the major difficulties and problems experienced in the three Regions; as well as recalling the tasks of the Formation Delegates for 2010.

Those who were able to stay an extra day had the chance to follow an artistic and cultural programme with various items: a visit to Krakow, to the Cathedral and to the Wawel Castle, to the Market Square, to the Church of Mary Assumed into Heaven and to the historical medieval centre; another possibility was to visit the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau; or to the salt mines of Wieliczka. The next meeting for the Formation Delegates of Europe will be in two years time.

Published 10/05/2010