Mexico – “Ecological conversion”. Formation meeting of the Salesian Cooperators of the Interamerican Region

The Salesian Cooperators of the Inter-American region held a virtual formation meeting "Ecological conversion. There is still time to save God's creation!” on Saturday April 22, thus commemorating as an Association, World Earth Day.

Juanita Silva, responsible for the Formation at regional level , welcomed all participants.  World Councilor Martín Calderón addressed a few words to those present, introducing the two regional delegates, Sr. Aracelly Mayorga, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, and Fr. Manuel Gómez, Salesian of Don Bosco.

The theme was developed by a presentation given by Mariana Cejudo García de Alba, Salesian Cooperator from Mexico, graduate in theology and representative of Don Bosco Green Alliance of the Inter-American region of the SDB.

Mariana spoke of ecological holiness, of the Goals of Laudato Si’ (GLS) presented in the encyclical Laudato si’, mentioning that conversion opens up a path of sanctification for us, which is made up of concrete attitudes: sobriety and solidarity, radicalism and humility.

At the end of the presentation, three Salesian Cooperators were invited, one from the Antilles, another from Central America and one from the north of the region to briefly share their personal reflection on the above, the participants being from Puerto Rico,  El Salvador and the United States.

Then, Martín shared with the participants a letter of commitment related to the protection of the environment, inviting the participants to sign it.  In addition, information was given on the next regional formation meetings which will take place in July, animated by Sr. Leslye Sandigo and in November, by the world coordinator of the Association, Antonio Boccia.

They were also invited to participate in the opening Eucharist of the Triennium in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators which will be celebrated in 2026. As a region, on May 9 a Mass will be celebrated in  face-to-face mode in Panama and will be broadcast via Facebook.

More than 100 people participated via zoom, and others via Facebook, from the 13 countries that make up the region.  In Panama, the local Center of the Don Bosco Basilica and in the Dominican Republic, the local Center of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, gathered to watch together the broadcast of the event.

This meeting was held in Spanish, with translations in the Zoom Rooms in English and French, and on three Facebook channels for each of the languages of the Interamerican region, you can watch the broadcast via Facebook live at SC Interamericana.