The meeting officially began on Sunday, October 19, with the Sunday Eucharist at Don Bosco Hall in Berkeley, though the Provincials had started arriving as early as Thursday. Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the local Salesian community and a commission appointed by Provincial Fr. Mel Trinidad of USA West to ensure that every detail of the event reflected the Salesian spirit of welcome, family, and joy.
Fr. Hugo Orozco Sánchez, Regional Councilor for Interamerica, opened the meeting with a message of fraternity and orientation. He introduced the schedule and structure of the week, emphasizing that the gathering’s main goal is not only to study or plan but to live as brothers, spending time together in prayer, reflection, study, and community life, as leaders in service who seek to encounter God and one another.
The first official day of the meeting took place on Monday, beginning with morning prayer and breakfast prepared by members of the Provincial House community in San Francisco. After breakfast, Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez delivered a powerful theological and pastoral reflection based on his text, “Talk for Provincials of the Region 2025.”
The talk offered a profound meditation on the paradigm of communion, drawing inspiration from Beatrice Bruteau’s theological work and the Gospel narratives of Holy Thursday. It presented communion as a trinitarian and reciprocal relationship that transcends division and fosters unity in diversity. Reflecting on Luke 22 and John 13, Fr. Alejandro proposed a spirituality of discipleship and service, where the shared table and the washing of the feet become symbols of humility, equality, and fraternal love. He reminded the Provincials that “diversity is a fact, but unity is a choice,” inviting them to reimagine authority in light of service, inclusion, and communion.
After a time of personal reflection and group discussion, the Provincials visited Salesian College Preparatory in Richmond, where they were warmly received by students who had participated in this year’s Salesian Youth Leadership Conference (SYLC). The visit was organized and led by Adrian Fulay, Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Salesian College Prep, who, together with a group of enthusiastic students, guided the Provincials through a tour of the school, proudly sharing the school’s Salesian identity and spirit.
The tour included a visit to the Salesian cemetery behind the Novitiate, followed by a celebration of the Eucharist and Evening Prayer (Vespers) with the Novitiate community. The prayer, offered in Spanish, Italian, and English, beautifully reflected the universality and unity of the Salesian family. The evening continued with a social gathering and dinner, graciously hosted by the Novice Master, Fr. Joseph Thinh Nguyen, and the formation community, who offered exceptional hospitality and fraternity.
The overall logistics, translation, coordination, and hospitality for this international gathering have been made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of the commission.
With the first full day, the Interamerica Provincials Meeting began in a spirit of brotherhood, spirituality, and renewal, affirming the shared commitment to deepen communion and strengthen the Salesian mission across the American continent.
Provincials Present
– ANT – Antilles: Jose Pastor Ramirez Fernandez
– CAM – Central America: Julio Andres Navarro Mora
– COB – Colombia (Bogota): Ruben Dario Jaramillo Duque
– COM – Colombia (Medellin): Jose Ariel Guerrero Castro
– ECU – Ecuador: Marcelo Farfan (represented by his Vicar, Juan Francisco Flores)
– HAI – Haiti (Visitature): Morachel Bonhomme
– MEM – Mexico (Mexico City): Juan Aaron Cerezo Huerta
– MEG – Mexico (Guadalajara): Filiberto Gonzalez Plasencia
– PER – Peru: Juan Pablo Alcas
– SUE – United States (East and Canada): Dominic Tran (Danh Cong)
– SUO – United States (West): Melchor Trinidad
Article prepared by the organizing commission appointed by Fr. Mel Trinidad.
