Mumbai, 26th January, 2011
(Two of the members of Youth Animation Centre are part of the Vocation Animation Team that participated in the National Level Conference at Mumbai on Vocation Guidance in South Asia)
The South Asia Vocation Guidance Meet ends with a unanimous commitment to relaunch the mission of creating a culture of vocations in the individual provinces. There were 30 participants from the provinces of India and the Vice province of Srilanka. The Rector Major and the General Councillor were present in spirit, the former through the call to create a culture of vocations through the strenna for this year and the latter with the video conference he gave to the participants.
Organised by the DBYASA, the Meet was convened by the Delegate for Vocation Guidance for DBYASA Rev. Fr. Brian Moras sdb and present all through were Rev. Fr. Joe Almeida, the Provincial incharge of Vocation Guidance in the SPCSA and Rev. Fr. Maria Charles the Director of DBYASA. Thanks to the hosting Province of Mumbai and its Provincial house, the meeting was a pleasant experience. Now that the annual exercise is over, what do we expect out of this?
A boom in the number of vocations? No. That is not what the theme concerns itself about. Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard, the General Councillor put it succinctly during his video conference saying, ‘the culture of vocations has not got to do with numbers but to do with the whole picture of Don Bosco’s Charismatic experience.’ A youngster to feel at home with your proposal of a vocation has first to feel at home with you, said the Councillor, drawing attention to why the Rector Major calls Don Bosco an ingenious Voction Animator – because he created an atmosphere where the young felt at home to search for meaning to their life.
Keeping with the theme, Creating a Culture of Vocations the presentations of the three resource persons, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes the Vice Provincial of Mumbai, Fr. Maria Charles the Director of DBYASA and Fr. Joe Almeida the Provincial of Guwahati, were well prepared and designed to prod the participants to concrete action. The outcome: there was a concerted ‘yes’ to the call to create a culture of vocations in the provinces. Searching for ways and means to do it the participants came up with the following possibilities – to create an awareness among every confrere about the mind of the congregation regarding the project and process of Vocation Guidance being part of the larger picture of Youth Ministry; to create systems – like networked teams, networked departments – within the provinces to ensure a holistic vocation ministry; to initiate activities that require holistic plans and participation of all the Salesians passionate about their life and its meaning and witness; to nurture good catholic families and to convince oneself and the provinces that vocations are primarily fruits of our personal and collective witness of life.
The departing feeling of the participants was one of joy and optimism that we are passionate about the Spirit that Don Bosco has left as our legacy and that it is enough for us to rekindle the energy as individuals and provinces to relaunch this specific mission in South Asia – to create a culture of vocations!
Antony Christy sdb
Showing posts with label religious life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious life. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Monday, 20 December 2010
YOUTH, SALESIANS, VOCATION
God has a unique plan for each person. We must endeavour (young & old alike) to discover that plan and seek happiness through faithful fulfillment of God's will.
The Lord of the harvest continues to call labourers into his vineyard. We need to listen and respond to his loving invitation, "Come, follow me," to serve him in the Church and in the society in which we live.
The attractive charism and spirituality of Don Bosco invites us to look upon God as a father who loves and cares. Moreover, there are various means of serving society, in the Christian way. Joining the priesthood or the religious life is one among the many vocational choices.
The Lord of the harvest continues to call labourers into his vineyard. We need to listen and respond to his loving invitation, "Come, follow me," to serve him in the Church and in the society in which we live.
The attractive charism and spirituality of Don Bosco invites us to look upon God as a father who loves and cares. Moreover, there are various means of serving society, in the Christian way. Joining the priesthood or the religious life is one among the many vocational choices.
2. What do the Salesians do?The Salesians do anything that will help young people. Most prominently, they are involved in schools, colleges, technical institutes, the care of young people in difficulty (such as street children, marginalized youth, delinquent youth, etc.), and the pastoral care of parishes.
3. What are the qualifications needed to join the Salesians?If you have the keen desire to love God and to serve people, you could be our perfect guy. You can join the Salesians at any stage: after class X, after class XII, after technical education or after Graduation. You can even join after your post-graduation or even if you've been working. The right age is when the Lord calls! Actually, one is never too old to respond to God's call.
4. How many years does it take to become a Salesian?Depends on your qualifications and when you join. Typically, if you join after class X, it takes about 5 years, till the end of the Novitiate, to become a Salesian. Those who want to become priests have another 10 years of studies and training after the Novitiate. Those who want to remain as Brothers have a minimum of 4 years training after the Novitiate.
5. Are the studies to become a Salesian difficult?Anyone with at least average intelligence can handle the studies. What is more required is a spirit of hard work and enthusiasm for this life.
6. What is a seminary?Seminary is an institution where young people who are training to be priests/religious live in an atmosphere that is helpful to growth of the total person - in the emotional, social, intellectual, moral and spiritual dimensions.
7. Will I get to play games in Seminary?Certainly! Games and recreation are an important part of daily life in our seminaries. Football, cricket, volleyball, basketball and hockey are all there, as also any number of indoor games. We have lots of work, too - house cleaning duties, work in the garden, in the fields, etc.
8. What about girlfriends?Salesians are men of relationships. And so, our seminarians are encouraged to build healthy relationships with men and women. However, exclusive one-to-one relationships are not permitted as they do not match with the vocation to be a priest or brother. The vocation of a priest/brother is one that opens one?s heart to ALL, not just to ONE or A FEW.
9. What will my friends think of me if I join the seminary?Depends on who your friends are! Your good friends who know you well will probably think you've made a good choice and wish you happiness. Actually, what your friends think about your joining the seminary is of little consequence. What matters more is: what do you think about it yourself?
10. How much will seminary training cost me?It varies from place to place. On an average, it would be Rs.1000 - Rs.1200 per month. However, no one who is sincere about becoming a Salesian is denied the opportunity of seminary training because of financial considerations.
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