(ANS – Vienna) – Between 27 and 30 October, the Don Bosco Haus in Vienna hosted the I Seminar for Provincial Delegates for the Salesian Family in the North Europe Region.

There were 31 Delegates (SDB and FMA) from 16 Provinces and 11 different countries in the Region. Proceedings opened with Mass at which Fr José Pastor Ramírez, World Delegate for the Don Bosco Past Pupils and Collaborator in the Salesian Family Department  presided. Then Sr Maria Luisa Miranda, General Councillor for the Salesian Family and Fr Pastor Ramírez greeted all the Delegates, who they invited to undertake their ministry as a task given them by God to make the Salesian Family “a vast movement of persons for the salvation of the young.”

The Seminar in Vienna had a similar structure to those previously held in other Regions (Częstochowa, Bangkok, San Paolo, Quito and Addis Abeba). The focus therefore was on the person of the Delegate as the link-person and the spiritual guide for the lay people in the Salesian Family; and then on the specific role which committed lay people – such as the Salesians-Cooperators (SSCC) and Past Pupils  have in the Salesian Family.

Some of the topics dealt with were: “Being formed and forming in order to operate in net works in the Salesian Family” and “Accompaniment with and towards the Salesian charism.” Those who gave talks included:  Sr Miranda, Sr Maria Trigila, FMA World Delegate for the SSCC, Fr Ivan Zitnansky, Past Pupils’ Delegate for Slovakia, Fr Stjepan Bolkovac, retiring SDB World Delegate for  the SSCC and Fr Pastor Ramírez.

The Delegates also dealt with some practical issues drawing up proposals and suggestions regarding the different  forms of accompaniment in the specific context of North Europe.

On Sunday  30 October they drew up the programme for the three year period 2012-2014: the formation of the Delegates; making the Salesian Family  better known to the Salesians and the FMA in initial and ongoing formation; reporting back in their own Provinces on the experience of the Seminar.

The meeting ended with Mass at which the Provincial of Austria  Fr Rudolf Osanger presided.

Published 02/11/2011