By Judy Alvarez

(Don Bosco Hall – Berkeley) – Over the years, Salesian educators and members of the Salesian Family, locally and around the world, have benefited tremendously from the ongoing formation programs offered by Don Bosco Hall, located in Berkeley.  Don Bosco Hall is recognized and promoted by the Rector Major as a Salesian ongoing formation center for the Interamerican region.  It is most notably known for its Salesian studies and spirituality experts such as Fr. Joseph Boenzi, Sr. Mary Greenan, Fr. Manuel Camilleri, Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez, and especially, the late Fr. Arthur J. Lenti.  In recent years, new innovative program offerings have emerged in the areas of Salesian preventive leadership and education.  There is a growing need from Salesian provinces worldwide to have these ongoing formation opportunities.

In April, Fr. Mario Candia, SDB, from the Salesian province in Bolivia, traveled to California to be a part of the Salesian community at Don Bosco Hall in Berkeley. He was a missionary in Angola, Africa, for 15 years.  He was most recently a pastor of a Salesian parish in Bolivia.  In honor of his 25th year of priestly ministry, his province offered him the chance to participate in ongoing formation at Salesian places in Italy or the Holy Land. Fr. Mario was excited about the opportunity to renew and deepen his love for Don Bosco, but he proposed another ongoing formation opportunity. 

At a province workshop in Bolivia, Fr. Mario was one of hundreds of participants listening attentively as Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez, SDB, expanded on the new impact of Don Bosco’s Preventive System today. The encounter sparked in him a desire to study for three months at the Institute for Salesian Studies in Berkeley, California. He requested this opportunity, hoping to further his understanding of the Preventive System under the guidance of Fr. Alejandro and also advance his English language skills. His proposal was approved.

Fr. Mario is residing for three months at Don Bosco Hall in Berkeley.  In the morning, he takes English classes and in the afternoon, he is accompanied by Fr. Alejandro in his intense study of the Preventive System. 

Recently, Fr. Peter Le from the Province Social Communications Office had the privilege of interviewing Fr. Mario, who declared, “This is a big experience for me because I can renew my knowledge and love of Don Bosco!” He has also discovered his Salesian family:  “In Don Bosco Hall, it is the same. It is my home. I have some problems with the language, but I feel the love of my brothers.”

In the interview, Fr. Peter explored the following questions with Fr. Mario, who offered keen insights:

Why is ongoing formation important in the life of a Salesian?

“In our life, we want many more things, but our love for Don Bosco needs [renewal]. We need time to stop and reorder our priorities according to this love.”

What do you hope to gain by the end of this experience?

“I hope that my mind, my heart, and my life [will be] renewed with more enthusiasm for the young and the people God will send me. I want to do my best for them.”

What is one thing you have learned during this time at Don Bosco Hall that will help you with your Salesian life?

“If we want to change the world, we need to rediscover the [Salesian] Preventive System in all our works, in our schools and parishes – with our young people. It is a treasure for us, but [it is] not only for us. This treasure is for all people, and we are responsible for sharing it. Education today needs reason, love, and religion.”