Salesian Family Vocation Festival Goes Online

Salesian Family

Vocation Festival goes online

By Asp. Ryan Paolo Tulaylay

The second Salesian Family Vocation Festival (SVFP) took place online from November 20 to 22, 2020. The event was organized by the Vocation Animators of the

FMA and SDB, namely Sr. Ravena Dominguez, FMA from the

Province of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello and Fr. Jayson

David, SDB from the Province of Saint John Bosco – FIN with about 500 participants from the di erent groups and members of the Salesian Family in the Philippines. The rst SFVF was held at the Don Bosco School in

Sta. Mesa, Manila. The online SFVP became an opportune time to reach not just the young people of the FMA and

SDB settings but also the others who were invited by their friends and educators to also discern about a possible vocation or calling to the Salesian Family. The theme of this year’s SFVF is “#FOREVER I’m Staying with Don Bosco” was taken from the decisive words of

Don John Cagliero, when he was asked by Don Bosco to join the Salesian congregation: “Monk or no monk, I’m staying with Don Bosco.” This little John Cagliero later on became a Salesian, the head of the rst Salesian missionary expedition to Patagonia in Argentina, the rst Salesian bishop, and later the rst Salesian cardinal. Like John Cagliero, the members of the Salesian Family were presented as those who found real happiness in serving the Lord through youth ministry.

During the three nights of the online SFVP, three to four groups of the Salesian Family were presented to the online assembly via Zoom. Each group presented a video and a short interview about their mission and their speci c identity within the Salesian Family. After the presentation of the groups, the participants were divided into small groups in 59 virtual rooms for their sharing of insights about the groups presented.

During the opening of the SFVP, Fr. Bobby Roxas, SDB, the SDB-FIN Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, gave the talk in which he presented an overview of the

The theme of this year’s SFVF is “#FOREVER I’m Staying with Don Bosco” was taken from the decisive words of Don John Cagliero, when he was asked by Don Bosco to join the Salesian congregation: “Monk or no monk, I’m staying with Don Bosco.”

Salesian Family. After his talk, the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the female Secular Salesians or the Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB), and the Association of the Salesian Cooperators (ASC) were presented.

On the second day, the Provincial Coordinator of the Youth Ministry of the FMA, Sr. Debbie Ponsaran, FMA talked about the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2021. She motivated the participants to bring hope to the world through concrete acts of solidarity. After her talk, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), and the male Secular Salesians or the Volunteers with Don Bosco (CDB) were presented.

On the last day of the SFVP, three other groups were presented: the Past Pupils of the SDB and the FMA, the Sisters of the Charity of Jesus (SCG), and the Asociacion Damas Salesianas (ADS).

The SFVP was concluded with the Solemn Celebration of the Eucharist on the Solemnity of Christ the King which was presided over by the FIN Provincial Superior, Fr. Gerardo Martin, SDB. In his homily, he encouraged the young people to follow the King-Shepherd who calls everyone to loving service. He also emphasized that the vocation in the Salesian Family means to be transformed as pastors or shepherds for the young.

Before the conclusion of the SFVP, the participants were given time for re ection and see to which group of the Salesian Family group are they attracted to join. The participants then went into their virtual breakout rooms for the last time and shared their experience of the Vocation Festival. It is hoped that the facilitators of the virtual breakout rooms continue to accompany the young people in their groups and help them in their discernment.