(ANS – Colle Don Bosco, April 2026) – In the inspiring setting of Colle Don Bosco, the cradle of the Salesian charism, Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation, convened an informal meeting of vocation animators and formators responsible for aspirantates and prenovitiates. The gathering brought together participants from two events currently taking place at the Colle: the School of Accompaniment and the European meeting of novices and pre-novices, “Faccia-a-Faccia.”

The meeting provided a valuable space for dialogue, listening, and fraternal exchange. In the spirit of sharing “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties,” 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 the contexts in which the call to Salesian consecrated life is discerned and nurtured.

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

Across the regions of Africa, where many provinces are experiencing a significant rise in vocations, there is an urgent need to prepare well-trained formators and spiritual guides capable of offering authentic accompaniment and effectively transmitting the Salesian charism.

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

Vietnam has recently introduced “internal,” or traditional, aspirantates while continuing its model of “external aspirantates,” accompanying university students who live near Salesian communities. In Myanmar, despite the challenges of ongoing conflict, the aspirantate and prenovitiate have recently relocated from Anisakan to Thibaw, raising important questions about how to strengthen discernment processes in a fragile environment.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, which maintains the traditional aspirantate structure, has benefited from strong accompaniment and vocational discernment processes developed 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. Gatherings like this provide a meaningful opportunity to listen deeply, learn from one another, and recognize with gratitude the work being carried out across different parts of the world.

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