Beneath the quiet suburbs of Sacrofano, a transformative energy gathered last week as the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) convened its 6th World Congress.
Held at the “Fraterna Domus” retreat center from May 7 to 10, the assembly brought together approximately 400 delegates representing a global membership of 30,000 across five continents.
Among the global voices were two representatives from Thailand: Mr. Alphonsus Phuwadon Chaisomboon, provincial coordinator for Thailand and Cambodia, and Mr. Emmanuel Nattawut Wacharasakpaisan, representing the provincial councilors.
Their return to Bangkok marks a renewed chapter for the Salesian charism in Southeast Asia.
A Magisterium of Service
Rooted in the vision of Saint John Bosco, the Salesian Cooperators are lay Catholics who live the Gospel with a “pastoral sensitivity” toward the young and the marginalized.
Founded in 1876 with the support of Pope Pius IX, the association was Don Bosco’s first organized group of lay collaborators in ministry.
Today, these “true Salesians in the world” act as a bridge between the Church and secular society, bringing the Salesian spirit into workplaces, families, and professional spheres.
The Call to Be “Leaven”
The congress, themed “To be leaven to be fruitful,” was convened by Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard. The metaphor of leaven served as the theological anchor for the four-day gathering, emphasizing that while the lay vocation may often seem invisible, its power to transform the “dough” of society remains immense.
In his keynote address, Fr. Attard challenged participants to move beyond the “temptation of pessimism” in the face of modern social crises.
He outlined a framework for the future built around four actions:
- To Look: discerning the needs of the young with empathy.
- To Listen: attuning the heart to the “spiritual poverty” of the contemporary world.
- To Choose: embracing the evangelical path of the Beatitudes.
- To Act: engaging in concrete and charismatic responses within diverse socio-cultural contexts.
The Thai Perspective: Co-Responsibility
Reflecting on the assembly, Mr. Phuwadon highlighted what he described as a significant shift in the association’s self-understanding.
“ASCs are not just assistants or volunteers; we are active decision-makers,” Phuwadon said. “We must contribute our lay perspectives to the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. We are walking together as one big family, working earnestly and joyfully.”
This sense of “synodality” — walking together — emerged as a cornerstone of the congress, signaling a move toward greater co-responsibility between clergy and laity in guiding Salesian ministries.
Challenges and the “Star of Hope”
While celebrating 150 years of history, the congress also acknowledged the “fragilities” facing the association.
Newly elected World Coordinator Borja Pérez pointed to challenges such as an aging membership and limited socio-political presence.
Still, he underscored the movement’s enduring strengths: a contemporary charism and a vibrant presence in the world’s “peripheries.”
The gathering concluded with a symbolic liturgy. During the offertory, building materials — including trowels and bricks — were brought to the altar to represent the commitment to build a “home” for every young person.
In a final gesture, each delegate received a puzzle piece, symbolizing how the Salesian mission finds its fullest meaning when diverse individuals come together in unity.
As the Thai delegates return to their local communities, they carry what organizers described as a “star of hope.”
Their journey from Rome to Bangkok reflects Don Bosco’s enduring belief that while a single string is easily broken, a community bound together in mission remains strong.
For the Salesian Cooperators in Thailand, the challenge now is clear: to become the hidden leaven helping shape a more just and fruitful society.
