Salesian Vocation Animators and Formators Gather at Colle Don Bosco

Salesian Vocation Animators and Formators Gather at Colle Don Bosco

(ANS – Colle Don Bosco – May 4, 2026) – In the evocative setting of Colle Don Bosco, cradle of the Salesian charism, Fr. Silvio Roggia (back row, 2d from right), general councilor for formation, convoked an informal meeting of vocation animators and formators responsible for aspirantates and prenovitiates. The encounter brought together participants from 2 events currently taking place at Colle: the School of Accompaniment and the European “face-to-face” meeting of novices and prenovices.

The gathering provided a privileged space for dialog, listening, and fraternal exchange. In the spirit of sharing “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties,” the participants reflected on the diverse realities of vocational animation and initial formation across the Salesian world. What quickly emerged was the richness and complexity of contexts in which the call to Salesian consecrated life is discerned and nurtured.

In the United States, a significant growth in “young adult vocations” is being observed, particularly among university students. Italy continues to move forward with steady commitment, building upon youth ministry initiatives and offering structured accompaniment to young people discerning a Salesian vocation.

Across the 2 regions of Africa, where many provinces are experiencing a notable boom in vocations, there is a pressing need for the preparation of well-trained formators and spiritual guides capable of offering authentic accompaniment and effectively transmitting the Salesian charism.

In South Asia, while traditional methods of vocation animation and aspirantates remain in place, there has also been a renewed engagement with the Congregation’s rich post-conciliar reflections. This effort has led to the publication of 2 booklets dedicated respectively to vocational guidance for young people and to the accompaniment of those interested in the Salesian vocation.

Vietnam, in recent years, has introduced “internal” or traditional aspirantates, while continuing the model of “external aspirantates,” accompanying university students who reside near Salesian communities. In Burma, despite the challenges posed by ongoing conflict, the aspirantate and prenovitiate have recently returned from Anisakan to Thibaw, raising important questions about how to strengthen further discernment processes in a fragile context.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, which maintains the traditional aspirantate structure, has benefited from solid accompaniment and vocational discernment processes established in recent years.

Beyond the sharing of data and experiences, the meeting at Colle Don Bosco was marked by a spirit of communion and hope. Encounters of this kind offer a precious opportunity to listen deeply, to learn from one another, and to recognize with gratitude what the Lord is accomplishing in different parts of the world.

Rooted in faith and sustained by hope, the participants left Colle encouraged to continue their mission with renewed courage, creativity, and fidelity to the Salesian vocation entrusted to them.

In the photo above are Bro. Travis Gunther, New Rochelle Province’s delegate for formation (back row, 3d from left), and Fr. Sean McEwen, the province’s vocation director (standing, 2d from right).