FORMATION - LETTER

DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO
Via della Pisana 1111 - 00163 Roma

The General Councillor for Formation

Rome, 3 March 2011
Prot. 11/0060

To: Rev.
Provincial Delegate for Formation

For information
To: Rev. Fr.Provincial

Subject: Interpretation of some of the statistics for 2010

Dear Delegates,

                               At the beginning of every year the statistics of the Congregation regarding the previous year are studied in the General Council. I think it would be useful for them to be known also in the Provinces; they invite us to reflect; for this reason I place them before you.

Initial Formation in the Congregation

* To understand the first three columns it should be borne in mind that the novices entering in a given year make their first profession the following year; therefore the number of the novices who left is the difference between the number of those who entered in a given year and those who were professed the following year. For example: in 2002 607 novices entered  and in  2003 470 made their first profession; therefore  the difference between those who entered in 2002 and those who were professed in the following year 2003 is 137; this number in found in the column “novices who left” for the year 2002. In 2010 532 novices entered; we shall know the number of  those professed and therefore the number of those who left at the end of 2011.

Ongoing Formation in the Congregation

* To understand the columns regarding dispensation from celibacy, secularisation and dismissal, the numbers do  not refer to those for whom in  a given year a request is presented but those for whom in a given year the legal procedure has been concluded.

Novices according to the Regions

Observations regarding the figures

Looking at the statistics, the first thing to do is to thank God for the vocations he sends us; this means that Salesian consecrated life retains the capacity to attract. On the other hand, there are some worrying aspects, which for some time have not been resolved and which require greater awareness, and careful consideration. Finally from an examination of the figures for the period 2002 - 2010 it would seem that the year 2007 was a decisive moment, and it will therefore be the object of our attention.

1. The novices who entered the novitiate in 2010 were 532. Between 2002 and 2006, on the average, the novices were about 585 each year. Since 2007 the annual average has been 530; in this period therefore there was a fall of about 55 novices each year, the equivalent of 9.4% less than the average for the period 2002 - 2006. This is the first worrying statistic.

2. The novices who left during the novitiate between 2002 and 2009 were 994 out of a total of 4,573 novices who entered; this means that out of an annual average of 571 novices, an average of 122 novices left, equal to 21% of the novices who entered. Between 2002 and 2006 out of an annual average of 585 an annual average of 130 novices left equal to about 23%; while between 2007 and  2009 out of an annual average of 540 novices  an average of 113 of the novices left, equal to about 20%. Therefore those leaving during the novitiate have tended to diminish a little in proportion. This is slightly more positive.

3. The temporary professed who left between  2002 and 2010 were on the average 220 confreres each year; between 2002 and 2006 there was an annual average of 226 temporary professed who left; between 2007 and 2010 there was an average of 224 temporary professed who left. In this second period not only was there no improvement but the situation became worse, given the reduction in this period of the number of the temporary professed on account of the reduction in the number of novices.. This is the second worrying statistic.

4. The perpetually professed  between  2002 and 2010 were on the average 249 each year. Between 2002 and 2006 there was an annual average of 258 making perpetual profession and between 2007 and 2010 an annual average of 215. In 2010 we had only 177 making perpetual profession; this was also due to the reduction in the number of novices and to the continuing number of temporary professed leaving from 2002 onwards. This is the third worrying statistic.

5. The perpetually professed Salesian brothers taking vows between 2002 and 2006 were on the average 33 each year, while between 2007 and 2010 there was an average of 17 each year; in this case too one notes a fall. In addition, the perpetually professed Salesian brothers who left between 2002 and 2006 were on the average 13 each year, while between 2007 and 2010 there was an average of about  10 each year. Considering the number of perpetually professed who took their vows, the number of perpetually professed Salesian brothers who left is worrying, since in proportion in the second period it is increasing.

6. The Salesian priests who were ordained between 2002 and 2006 were on the average 221 each year; between 2007 and 2010 there was average of 198 each year. In addition the Salesian priests who left by dispensation from celibacy, secularisation “praevio experimento” and “simpliciter” and dismissal, between 2002 and 2006, were 88 + 39 + 54 + 127 = 308, with an annual average of 61 priests. Between 2007 and 2010 there were 56 + 67 + 50 + 122 = 295, with an annual average of  about 76. These two statistics of priestly ordinations and of priests leaving are also negative.

7. The proportion between  Salesian brothers and clerics at the end of 2010 is 1 to 7. Between 2002 and 2006 the proportion of the newly professed brothers, in relation to the newly professed clerics  was in the order of 1 to 8; between 2007 and 2010 the  proportion of the newly professed brothers, in relation to the newly professed clerics  was 1 to 10. While between 2002 and 2006 the proportion between newly perpetually professed  brothers in relation to the newly perpetually professed clerics was in the order of  1 to 7; between 2007 and 2010 it was in the order of 1 to 12. As can be seen the number of Salesian brothers is in decline.

8. The vocation situation in the Regions is also worth attention. From 2002 until 2010, regarding the number of novices, a strong fall in vocations can be seen for West Europe, Italy – Middle-East  and America South Cone; a continuous reduction  for Interamerica and North Europe; on the other hand the number of novices remains constant for South Asia; there is an increase for East Asia; finally in these years there has been a strong increase  for Africa - Madagascar. Therefore vocations are declining in five Regions in a way which is preoccupying; in one they remain constant, and in two they are increasing.

Observations regarding quality

After interpreting the figures in the statistics, it is necessary to consider the question of quality. We have to ask ourselves some questions. Why has the number of novices gone down? Why is there still a considerable number of novices who leave during the novitiate? Why do a large number of confreres continue to leave during temporary profession? Why is the number of Salesian brother vocations going down? Why do so many Salesian priests ask to be able to join a diocese? Why does the number of those dismissed from the Congregation grow? The statistics could also raise other questions for us.
Answers to these questions can be found by looking at initial formation and ongoing formation, at youth ministry and at the culture of the Province, ... Our Formation sector has offered some observations to understand the problems and to help to overcome them; sometimes reflection on such phenomena  is lacking and therefore the  solutions proposed are not effective. Therefore a process of reflection is needed on the numbers and above all on the issue of quality, also at Provincial and Regional level; we have to accustom ourselves to an annual interpretation of the statistical data to recognise the situations and trends.
In initial formation the causes could be sought in the weak organisation of the aspirantate and of the prenovitiate, in insufficient discernment, in the little consideration given to the family background, in the limited psychological assistance, in the lack of accompaniment, in the weakness or lack of preparation of the formation teams, … In ongoing formation the causes of people giving up and leaving could depend on a weak Province culture, on the style of life and of work of the community, on loneliness, on a secular spirit within the communities, on the failure of authority to act,  on a weak spiritual life, …

Examples of practical steps to be taken

In vocational promotion there ought to be an examination of the forms local vocational promotion takes, involving all the Salesian communities and all the educative pastoral communities, helping a vocational culture to develop, making good use of vocational opportunities offered by the Salesian Youth Movement. We should not neglect prayer for vocations and the presentation of the vocation of the Salesian brother; … God continually calls, in all contexts and in all cultures (Cf. C. 28); we can therefore hope for the gift of Salesian consecrated vocations.
In initial formation we need to reduce the number of those in formation who leave during the novitiate and temporary profession. Attention needs to be given to accompaniment. Further reflection is needed on the nature  of Salesian consecrated life, care in the preparation for perpetual profession, attention given to the period of practical training, due weight needs to be given to the pastoral experience of the young Salesians, helping them to concentrate their lives on apostolic commitment (Cf. C. 46).
In ongoing  formation we need to reduce the number of those who leave the Congregation or the priesthood. It is necessary to focus better on the period of new responsibilities, giving attention to the “quinquennium”;  it is also necessary to study with greater attention the problems related to vocational fidelity. The community atmosphere, both local and Provincial, needs to be taken into consideration and the joy which the confreres find in carrying out the Salesian mission.

I have offered you some reflections in connection with the  statistics; I  invite you to share this letter, in the light of the situation in your Province, with the Rectors, formation personnel, the Provincial Formation Commission, the Provincial and the Provincial Council.
We entrust ourselves to the care and protection of Mary Help of Christians, the wise teacher of Don Bosco, so that she may guide and support us on our way.
Heartfelt greetings.

Fr Francesco Cereda

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Africa-Madagascar

Formazione continua nella Reg. Africa-Madagascar

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. America Cono Sud

Formazione continua nella Reg. America Cono Sud

I 4 perpetui coadiutori usciti sono da: BBH 2, BRE 1, CAM 1
I temporanei usciti sono da: BCG 9, BBH 6, BRE 5, BSP 5, CIL 5, PAR 5….

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Interamerica

Formazione continua nella Reg. Interamerica

Novizi usciti = 29 su 91 pari a 32%
Temporanei usciti: BOL 7, COB 7, ECU 6….
Secolarizzazione ad exper. CAM 4

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Asia Est - Oceania

Formazione continua nella Reg. Asia Est - Oceania

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Asia Sud

Formazione continua nella Reg. Asia Sud

Temporanei usciti: INH 9, IND 6, INK 6, INM 6, INT 5, LKC 4, INB 4….

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Europa Nord

Formazione continua nella Reg. Europa Nord

Novizi usciti: 15 su 40 pari a 37.5%

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Europa Ovest

Formazione continua nella Reg. Europa Ovest

Novizi usciti: 4 su 8 pari a 50%

Formazione iniziale nella Reg. Italia - MOR

Formazione continua nella Reg. Italia - MOR