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FORMATION AND DISCERNMENT: THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SOUTH ASIA FORMATION DELEGATES

Formation and Discernment: The Annual meeting of South Asia Formation Delegates

Kolkata, 2 August 2023: The annual meeting of the South Asia Formation Commission (SAFC) of the Salesians of Don Bosco is being held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Kolkata from 31 July to 3 August 2024. During the four days annual meeting, 18 members of the South Asia region, mostly formation delegates of 12 provinces of India and Sri Lanka, will engage in discussion and deliberation on processes and challenges related to formation for the Salesians in the South Asia region.

The first day of the meeting began with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr John Parankimalil, secretary of the Salesian Provincials Conference of South Asia. On the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr John focused on the importance of discernment in the formation process. Discernment – namely being attentive to the voice of God – should not be restricted to certain decisive moment of life, but should become a habit that assists a person on a daily basis. He further added, that young people, especially those in formation, should be helped to listen to the voice of God amidst the cacophony a cluttered life.

During the inaugural function, Fr Sunil Kerketta, the vice-provincial of Kolkata province, welcomed the members to the city of joy with the traditional Utorio. In attendance were Fr Jose Kuttianimattathil and Raymond Callo of the formation department from Rome, along with Fr. Banzelao Teixeira (South Asia formation delegate) and Fr John Parankimalil, besides the other members. This inaugural function was followed by the Salesian Lectio animated by Fr Ashley Miranda of the Mumbai Province. Using texts from Scripture and Christus Vivit, the animator urged the participants to reflect on the topic of discernment. The rest of the day was dedicated to discussion and reflection on matters of formation.
Fr. Nirmal Toppo SDB