Salesian Vocation workshop in Salesian community of Ennerdale

A short Vocation Workshop animated by the AFM provincial delegate for Youth Ministry, Fr Lingoane Tlaile, was held in the Salesian community of Ennerdale, Archdiocese of Johannesburg, December 1-3. Seven young men from South Africa and Lesotho, between 16 -31 years of age, Five Salesian priests, one practical trainee and one Salesian brother were involved in the 7 workshop interactive sessions.

The workshop consisted of a variety of inter-connected sessions on Life Options, Different vocations to Consecrated Life, Salesian Vocation in the multifaceted expressions amidst the Salesian Family, and Two dimensions of one Salesian consecrated vocation (Priest and Brother).  Cafasso-like accompaniment in vocation discernment involved all participants, most of them for the first time at a vocation event: fresh secondary school graduates, teacher, youth ministry volunteer, tutor of students.

The multicultural pastoral and education setting of Ennerdale community offered the participants insight into the All Saint multicultural parish and into the Don Bosco Education projects (Declan Skill Center and Laura Vicuna Primary school). The Vocation storytelling from 6 Salesians, the memorial Mass of Fr Sean Murphy, SDB (1934-2023) who spent 50 years of his missionary life between Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa, offered a deep inspiration to all. The presence of a recently-arrived French-speaking, practical trainee from ACC province, among the young men, was highly appreciated

At the end of the workshop, some interesting experiences emerged from the group evaluation: 

–  Importance of one’s own spiritual guide(s) like Saint Joseph Cafasso for Don Bosco.

–  Surprise to get to know the large reality of the Salesian family with so many Saints – witness to the same Salesian apostolic vocation lived in so many different ways of life.

–  Appreciation of the family spirit in the community that encourages to follow Jesus in freedom.

–  Freedom to speak out with honesty, and engagement with flowing group conversations.

–  Encouragement to continue the personal journey of research, prayer, and commitment.

At the end of the ‘day’ all participants shared how they intend to continue in their daily life to find their ‘Cafassos’ to walk the talk on their vocation journey. God willing, some of the participants may join in early 2024 the Aspirantate experience in AFM vice-province of Blessed Michael Rua. Similar vocation workshops will be held before the end of 2023 in Eswatini, Lesotho, and Cape Town, the other pastoral zones of the AFM vice-province.