Turin (Italy). On February 1-4, 2018, the formation course for new Animators took place, promoted by the Italian Interprovincial Conference (CII) and coordinated by the national Formation Team.
The participants, about thirty Animators from the seven Italian Provinces, were able to discuss the theme: “Co-responsibility and subsidiarity in government practice” with people of great experience, capable of involving them: The Rector Major emeritus, Fr. Pascual Chavez, and Fr. Enrico Lupano SDB; Sr. Anna Razionale, together with Sr. Cristina Festa and Sr. Anna Avenia, who oversaw the organization of the formation days.
The days were intense and stimulating for growth, both at the personal and at the community levels and can be of help in reflecting and living with greater evangelical radicality.
The formation days were opened with a time of prayer that highlighted what it means for the Christian to live the task of authority and its link with “service”, in imitation of Jesus, who became an obedient servant of the Father until the end. In the evening, after the presentation of goals and objectives, there was a period of adoration to entrust to the Lord of life and history all the aspirations for the good that animate and support the journey of every religious community.
On Friday, Fr Pascual’s presentation, articulated in two very intense moments, emphasized the need to take care of one’s own vocation and that of every sister of the community, because – like Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello – “We are called to be mothers, sisters, and friends for all the people that the Lord entrusts to us and places on our path”. In fact, each animator is called to be a builder and guardian of communion, promoting trust, listening, co-responsibility, and subsidiarity.
The following day, begun with the Eucharistic celebration at Don Bosco’s rooms, where the Saint of the young was entrusted with the search for new ways to encourage involvement and subsidiarity in the Salesian style. The morning, in fact, continued with a demanding workshop activity (the collaborative construction of the “tower of power”!) – directed by Sr. Anna Razionale – which led us to reflect on the assignment of the various responsibilities in the community and on how to foster coordination and the flow of communication, in view of the realization of the common and shared purpose, that is, the construction of the Salesian educating community.
In the afternoon, accompanied by Don Enrico Lupano, there was a visit to the places of the ‘heart’ of Turin, with the aim of bringing out the role of guide and teacher of Don Bosco for the first Salesians. The path made has left in the heart of each the desire to be more and more – as St. Francis of Sales said – capable of doing everything just to please God and to find the most suitable strategies to encourage the involvement of the sisters, young people, and lay people for the realization of the common Salesian mission in the complementarity of roles and tasks, well aware that the final goal is to reach Heaven, as Don Bosco promised: “A piece of paradise adjusts everything” and “Bread, work, and paradise …” The closing of the day in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, and at the tombs of the Rectors Major, united all the various experiences into thanksgiving for our beautiful Salesian Family and for the history that was built and is now being lived.
