Salesian cooperators meet the Provincial

The Provincial, Fr Michael, met a small group of Salesian Cooperators and aspiring Cooperators at 1630 hours yesterday, 6 December 2009. Among the professed Cooperators present was Mrs Lucy D'Souza; her husband Dominic works on Sundays and was unable to come. Mr and Mrs Robin Susainathan had excused themselves. Among the aspiring Cooperators were Mrs Lily Nirmal, Mrs Letitia John, and Mr Shyju Babykutty.

The Association is not new to Nashik: there used to be a fairly consistent group some years ago. Lucy said that the group disbanded when one of the Salesian animators discouraged the seniors, with the intention of encouraging youngsters to join.

Fr Michael has been inviting each Salesian house revive or begin a unit of the Cooperators.

Don Bosco wanted to have full-fledged Salesians 'living in the world'. He called them 'extern Salesians.' When this was not allowed at that time by the Church authorities, he founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators.

The Cooperators take a promise, in contrast to the SDBs and FMAs who take public vows, and the VDBs (Volunteers of Don Bosco) who take private vows.

We pray that this small group that met with the provincial on the second day of the triduum of the Immaculate might flourish and be blessed with enthusiasm and growth.

Salesian cooperators in Nashik

We are trying to revive the Association of Salesian Cooperators in Nashik. This Association was founded by Don Bosco himself. Originally Don Bosco wanted to have full fledged lay members of the Salesian Congregation who would live in their own homes. When Rome did not permit this, he founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators.

The Salesian Cooperators inherit Don Bosco's charism with its special love for youth, but by way of their mission they help in different capacities in their own parishes, etc.

We used to have this Association in our parish years ago, and we still have with us some of the professed members.

However, we need to invite new members. So, dear friends, think about this.

I must add that being a Salesian Cooperator is a vocation, and so the Association is not just one more association. One has to discern whether or not God is calling him or her to this vocation.