It was an important moment of sharing the formation programmes which are being carried out in the Provinces, in line with the way that the congregation has been working in this six-year period. The meeting covered the specific role of the Delegate and the Formation Commission, in the variety of social and ecclesial contexts of the two regions. Among the items requiring attention were the following:
• The identity of Salesian consecrated life in the two complementary forms of the Salesian vocation (priests and brothers), which needs to be rediscovered at a time when signs of renewal and signs of crisis are present simultaneously.
• The figure of the Rector, who is at the centre of renewal because he plays a role of primary importance in the ongoing formation of the communities.
• The process of involving all those who are in initial formation in the study and better understanding of Salesian personal accompaniment which is going on in the congregation and was chosen as one of the priorities for this new formation year.
The final day was spent with Bishop Luc Van Looy, Salesian Bishop of Ghent, who gave a review of the current situation of young people and the Church in Europe, with the challenges and opportunities it poses in the area of formation.
The success of the meeting was greatly helped by the Salesian community in Ljubljana-Rakovnik. It has a wealth of history – founded on 23 November 1901 - and is responding in a vibrant way to present-day challenges. The formation community is part of a Salesian centre that responds to a variety of educational and pastoral needs of thousands of young people and of the Slovenian capital, with a high level of educational professionalism and intense pastoral zeal.
