7 July 2022, EAO via Zoom – When the unexpected, uninvited, and unwanted guest like the Covid–19 came into our midst, having no choice, we stood our ground and lived up to the situation. Such was the case of the young Salesians in the Postnovitiate Formation House FIN Province under Fr. Eli Cruz, SDB, our credible and knowledgeable speaker for another School fo Formation session, who took upon himself with the post novices, the responsibility to re-look, re-invent and re-position the challenges of the oratory apostolate amidst the pandemic. The pandemic may have disrupted the ongoing activities in the oratory. Still, its ill effects were not strong enough to crash or defeat the enthusiasm, energy, and move-forward attitude of everyone in the oratory. They chose to battle the pandemic and have this enemy pinned down. Through digital platforms, the apostolate went through. In a lively exchange, Fr. Eli and Br. Roj Mallari, SDB, an incoming 2nd-year postnovice brother, enriched the EAO participants. The resource persons showed concretely how the Salesians could still make their presence felt despite the challenging times. Fr. Jerome Quinto, SDB facilitated this SOF Session, which was sponsored by the FIN Province.

by Ms Susan Lao Liwanag