(ANS – Barcellona) – From May 9 -12,  the house of Martí Codolar in Barcelona welcomed the Provincial Delegates for Formation from the three European Regions. The participants discussed the processes of formation in relation to four principal themes: the Salesian vocation in its various forms; Project Europe; emotions and chastity; intellectual life.

The General Councilor for Formation, Fr. Francesco Cereda, coordinated the  meeting, assisted by his collaborators in the Department, Fr. Chrys Saldanha and Fr. Horacio López. The Regional Councilor for North Europe, Fr. Marek Chrzan, was present for the whole meeting, while Fr. Angel Azurmendi, the Provincial of Barcalona, visited the participants on Thursday 10th.

The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of great fraternity and sharing of experiences.

On the first day the topic of study was the consecrated Salesian vocation and its forms. With the help of an address by Fr. Andrea Bozzolo, Principal of the Theological Centre of Turin-Crocetta, a study in depth was made of the Christologic and charismatic foundations of consecrated Salesian life and the identity and specific formation of the Salesian priest and the Salesian coadjutor. In the afternoon the analysis regarded the modifications of the “ratio” on the formation of the Salesian coadjutors and the curriculum proposed for their specific formation in Turin. The day ended with the presentation of some ulterior proposals concerning matters already considered.

The second day was devoted to the study of formation in the context of Project Europe,  starting from the experiences of mixed cultures in multi-cultural and international communities, through to the traditional communities and to those  welcoming missionaries.  The formative experience reported by missionaries to Europe was the subject of debate and deeper study, along with a search for strategies of  inter-Provincial collaboration in the continent. A careful look at the statistics of the Congregation and of the European Regions was also a useful exercise tin understanding present needs.

Finally, on the third day the last two themes were dealt with. Regarding emotion and chastity, the discussion started from the letter of the Rector Major in no. 408 of the Acts of the Superior Council (ACG408), following the subsequent developments. Regarding intellectual life, a much appreciated address was given by Fr. Jordi Latorre, Director of the Martí Codola centre, who spoke on “how to motivate intellectual life.”

Saturday May 12. The Delegates who were still present in Barcelona were able to visit the Basilica of the Holy Family of Antoni Gaudí. The next meeting of the Provincial Delegates for Formation of the three European Regions will not be before the beginning of the next sexennium.

Published 16/05/2012