By John Raymond
【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2024 年8月12 日印尼雅加達訊】 ─ 由慈幼會印尼會省 (INA) 主辦的第八屆東亞澳慈幼會修士大會於 2024 年 8 月 4 日至 8 日在雅加達東部克倫德（Klender）的 Puspas Samadi 牧民中心順利舉行。大會的主題是「追隨聖柯蒂美澤德修士、可敬者西滿斯魯吉修士和真福斯德望沈道爾修士的腳步，實現鮑思高神父的今天年輕人的夢想」，旨在深化慈幼會修士的使命，並分享各會省的楷模。
超過100位慈幼會修士，以及來自區內各會省的部分神父出席了是次活動。東亞澳地區議員阮盛福神父代表總部議會對與會者表示歡迎，並轉達了總會長的支持和祈願大會成功的訊息。
相當多來自不同會省的年輕慈幼修士出席了大會，其中大多數剛剛完成專業培育，是值得注意且令人印象深刻的。這清楚地表明，儘管修士數量總體下降，但慈幼會修士聖召在該地區正在蓬勃發展。他們的緊密聯繫和兄弟情誼證明了慈幼會的活力和興盛。
今年的大會不僅有慈幼會會士，還有慈幼家庭的成員，包括慈幼協進會（ASC）、母佑會（FMA）和年輕人，積極參與活動的組織和行政，為組織者提供了所需的人力。他們熱情歡迎參與者，引導他們到住宿，並協助活動，確保每個人都有賓至如歸的感覺。慈幼家庭之間的非凡合作凸顯了在所有慈幼會會省促進這種團結的重要性。
隨著正式研討的開始，總財務長苗尚博修士在大會上發表了主題演講，概述了修會面臨的關鍵問題和擔憂。他強調，為了有效應對這些挑戰，慈幼會修士要積極做出貢獻，並透過基本技能和正規教育做好準備——基本上使自己專業化——以滿足使命的要求。
培育議員Ivo Coelho神父分享了可敬者西滿斯魯吉修士的聖善生活，並邀請在場的所有人將注意力集中在他作為兄弟情誼的象徵。Nádudvari Géza修士向大家介紹了真福斯德望沈道爾修士在匈牙利共產主義政權下，所面對的挑戰中的生活和榜樣。他分享的核心是沈道爾修士在他作為慈幼會修士的日常生活中的神修和專業水準，他沒有取得任何非凡的成就，但他始終如一地執行簡單的任務，為周遭的人作見證。而在Fernando Saade修士的見證下，大會開始反思聖柯蒂美澤德修士的一生，儘管他經歷了疾病的考驗並被轉移到遠離熟悉的地方，但仍以負責任和創造性的專業精神繼續他的慈善工作，將基督帶給那些生病、受苦的人，並成為他遇到的所有人的弟兄。
本次代表大會對於深化東亞澳地區慈幼會修士之間的兄弟共融發揮著至關重要的作用。它讓每個人都沉浸在慈幼會修士的精神和使命中，並努力效法三位聖善修士的榜樣。透過這段共同的經歷，我們受到啟發和鼓勵，去體現和傳播鮑思高神父的神恩，並使他的願景更合適當今年輕人的需求。大會不僅加強了我們的聯繫，而且更新了我們對慈幼會使命的承諾，即以促進團結和充滿活力的方法來應對我們牧民工作的當代挑戰。
對於巴布亞新幾內亞會省（PGS），我們確定我們需要解決的一個關鍵挑戰是在我們的學校內外宣傳和培養對慈幼會修士聖召的重視。為了實現這一目標，我們制定了幾項可實現的行動：
透過我們自己組織的各種聚會中的講座和會議（例如慈幼家庭聚會、Wantok 語鮑思高營、慈幼青年運動營、節日期間的早安講座和慈幼修士聖人紀念活動）積極推廣聖召
利用不同媒體、網站、社群媒體及鮑思高家庭通訊進行推廣活動
PGS 會省的慈幼會士透過他們的社區生活和在傳教過程中專業精神的實踐，作為鼓舞人心的見證
綜上所述，第八屆慈幼修士大會取得了圓滿成功，展現了全區慈幼會的活力與團結。這次活動不僅重溫了鮑思高神恩和三位修士聖人的模範生活，而且還激發了我們對慈幼會使命的承諾。隨著我們的前進，大會期間獲得的見解和建立的紐帶將推動我們努力促進和加強慈幼會修士聖召，確保其在我們的區域內外持續發揮相關性和影響力。
Celebrating the Salesian Brothers: Highlights from the 8th EAO Congress
By John Raymond
(ANS – Indonesia–Jakarta, 12 August 2024) – The 8th EAO Salesian Brothers Congress, organized by the Salesian Province of Indonesia (INA), took place from 4-8 August 2024, at the Puspas Samadi Pastoral Center in Klender, East Jakarta. With the theme “Living Don Bosco’s Dream for the Young of Today in the Footsteps of St. Artemide Zatti, Venerable Simon Srugi, and Blessed Stephen Sandor,” the Congress aimed to deepen the vocation of the Salesian Brotherhood and share best practices across provinces.
Over a hundred Salesian Brothers, along with some Salesian priests from all Salesian Provinces in the region, attended the event. Fr. Nguyen Thinh Phuoc Joseph, SDB, the Regional Councilor for EAO, and representatives from the Central Council welcomed the participants and conveyed the Rector Major’s message of support and prayer for the Congress’s success.
The attendance of a sizable number of young Salesian Brothers, most of whom have just finished their specific formation, was noteworthy and quite impressive, having come from different provinces. This is a clear indication that the Salesian Brother vocation is flourishing in the region despite the reality of declining numbers of brothers overall. Their strong bond and fraternity are a testament to the dynamism and thriving nature of the Salesian Congregation.
This year’s Congress saw not only Salesians but also members of the Salesian Family, including Salesian Cooperators (ASC), Salesian Sisters (FMA), and young people, actively involved in organizing and managing the event, strengthening the needed workforce among the organizers. They warmly welcomed participants, guided them to their accommodations, and assisted with activities, ensuring everyone felt at home. The remarkable collaboration among the Salesian Family highlighted the importance of fostering such unity across all Salesian Provinces.
As the formal discussions began, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, SDB, the Congregation’s Economer General, addressed the assembly with a keynote speech outlining key issues and concerns facing the congregation. He emphasized that to effectively tackle these challenges, Salesian Brothers need to actively contribute and prepare themselves with essential skills and formal education—essentially, to professionalize – to meet the demands of the mission.
Fr. Ivo Coelho, the Councillor for Formation, shared the life of holiness of Venerable Simon Srugi and invited everyone present to focus their attention on him as an Icon of Fraternity. Bro. Nádudvari Géza introduced the group to the life and example of Blessed Stephen Sandor amid the challenges of the communist regime in Hungary. Central to his sharing was the spirituality and professionalism of Blessed Sandor in the daily living of his vocation as a Salesian Brother, who did not achieve any extraordinary accomplishments but was an example of consistency and simplicity in conducting his mission and being a witness to the people around him. With the testimony of Bro. Fernando Saade, the assembly was led to reflect on the life of St Artemides Zatti, who, despite the trials of sickness and being transferred away from a familiar place, managed to continue his works of charity with responsible and creative professionalism, bringing Christ to those who were sick and suffering and becoming a brother to all he met.
This Congress plays a vital role in deepening fraternal communion among the Salesian Brothers of the EAO Region. It immerses everyone in the spirit and mission of the Salesian Brothers, aligning efforts with the example set by the Three Holy Brothers. Through this shared experience, we are inspired and encouraged to embody and disseminate the charism of Don Bosco, adapting his vision to meet the needs of today’s youth. The Congress not only strengthens our bonds but also renews our commitment to the Salesian mission, fostering a united and dynamic approach to addressing contemporary challenges in our ministry.
For the PGS Province, we established that a key challenge we need to address is to make known and foster greater appreciation for the Salesian Brother vocation within and outside the walls of our schools. We have formulated several achievable actions to reach this end:
Active promotion of the vocation through talks and conferences in various gatherings organized by our own (e.g., Salesian Family Gatherings, Wantok Bosco Camp, SYM Camp, Good Morning Talks during the feast days and memorials of the Holy Salesian Brothers)
Utilization of different media, websites, social media, and the Salesian Bulletin in promotion activities
Inspiring witness of the Salesian Brothers in the PGS Province through their lives in the community and the practice of professionalism in their conduct of the mission
In conclusion, the 8th EAO Salesian Brothers Congress has been a resounding success, showcasing the vitality and unity of the Salesian Brotherhood across the region. The event not only celebrated the legacy of Don Bosco and the exemplary lives of the three Holy Brothers but also invigorated our commitment to the Salesian mission. As we move forward, the insights gained and the bonds forged during the Congress will drive our efforts to promote and enhance the Salesian Brother vocation, ensuring its continued relevance and impact in our communities and beyond.