From the moment the participants arrived, the atmosphere was characterised by a warm welcome from the Centre’s staff, who supported every stage of this experience aimed at deepening an understanding of Don Bosco’s life, spirituality and mission. Representatives from Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina and Ecuador took part in this edition.
The formation programme enabled participants to return to the roots of the Salesian charism, in particular through the study of the Memoirs of the Oratory, communal reflection and the exchange of pastoral, educational and cultural experiences. The initiative helped participants to rediscover Don Bosco as a father and teacher of young people, as well as the relevance of his educational approach in today’s contexts.
Jorge Yépez, from the Don Bosco Publishing Group in Ecuador, emphasised the value of this experience: “It was an extraordinary experience to come face to face with Don Bosco thanks to the CSFPA’s formation programme. The team guided us in discovering the life of the father and teacher of young people. Don Bosco continues to need his family to accompany children and young people in the four spheres of the home, the school, the playground and the parish.”
Hernando Mendivelso, a participant from Colombia, emphasised that the course had enabled him to refresh and deepen his knowledge of Don Bosco, renewing his commitment to putting what he had learnt into practice in his own work in order to accompany others more effectively, serve with greater purpose and strengthen the Salesian mission.
Similarly, Cecilia Adano, from a Salesian educational institution in Uruguay, explained that this experience had been an opportunity to strengthen her identity, broaden her outlook and enrich her educational vocation alongside participants from other countries.
The team of formators consisted of Fr Ángel Prado, director of the CSFPA; Fr Luis Timosi, Fr Miguel Toriz, Fr Walter Jara, Fr Manolo Pérez, Fr Leandro Brum and María Soledad Romero.
