Ennerdale (South Africa). On 24 May 2021, during the Holy Mass of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, 7 Salesian Cooperator Aspirants were presented in the presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Cooperators, and young people.
During the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Marian Kulig, SDB, pastor of the Parish Ognissanti of Enneradale, and by Fr. Sean Murphy, SDB, local Delegate for the Salesian Family, Sr. Maria Nguyen, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians of Blessed Laura Vicuña Community of Johannesburg, in of Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM), pronounced the names of the seven Aspirants coming from the Salesian parish Holy Mary of Finetown, Johannesburg.
The Aspirants were welcomed by Mr. Chester Browne, Salesian Cooperator, Province Councilor of the Southern Region (AFM), in the local group made up of 13 Salesian Cooperators.
Fr. Marian concluded the celebration by thanking them for the spread of the Salesian charism in the missions, in particular for the presence and work of the Salesian Cooperators.
The Salesian Cooperators of the Region of South Africa and Swaziland (AFM) actively participate in ecclesial and social realities, working closely with the different groups of the Church and of the young people: Parish Pastoral Council, small Christian communities, choirs, Catholic associations, etc. They teach catechism, take care of the poor, support children and the elderly in need with material and spiritual help. They meet monthly and organize meetings in the parishes to make Don Bosco’s work known and propose the path in the Association.
The Salesian Cooperators (SSCC) are lay men and women of Catholic religion or members of the diocesan clergy who, attracted by the figure of Don Bosco, live the charism of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales in the lay condition. They are called to cooperate in the mission of salvation of young people, especially the poor and abandoned.
The formation journey to enter the Association foresees an initial phase in which the Aspirant, accompanied by the one responsible for Formation and the SDB Delegate or the FMA Delegate, goes through a discernment process on the authenticity of their motivations and on the desire to make their own life a joyful gift in the spirit of Don Bosco.
Together with the other aspirants of the Local Center, they study the vocation of the Salesian Cooperator and assimilate the Project of Apostolic Life, gradually developing a sense of co-responsibility and of belonging to the Association and to the Salesian Family and growing in the life of prayer and charity. Measuring themselves with significant experiences in the local reality and confronting themselves with the testimony of the Salesian Cooperators of the Center, they mature the choice to make the Apostolic Promise, which marks their insertion into the Association.
