(ANS - Rome) - The International Historical Congress for the Bicentenary opens next Wednesday 19 November. The theme of the congress will be "Development of the charism of Don Bosco until the mid-twentieth century." More than 230 participants are expected at the Salesianum in Rome, including Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and members of the Salesian Family.

"Don Bosco is the essential key for understanding the development of his charism, like a seed that heralds the growth  of the tree. However, in this Congress we will go beyond his own lifestory," says Sr. Grazia Loparco FMA, a historical researcher. This is one of the major international events of the Bicentenary Year of Don Bosco.

During the Congress, the development of the charism can be understood only from a consideration of the current state of the charism. For that reason, on the opening day, after prayer and the initial greetings, there will be a paper on "The Salesian charism in today's world", its relevance and the challenges it faces.

On the next three days there will be nine basic lectures in the morning and thirty-eight communication groups in the afternoon. They will follow the structure of the three years of preparation for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco. Each of these three days will focus on a specific aspect:

• On the Thursday, a historical report will outline the main international developments in the period examined, with attention to the issues that most directly affect the young people of the lower and middle classes or young people touched by the charism.
• On Friday the focus will be on the educative work of the Salesians, examining educational policies in the light of the preventive system.
• Saturday will be dedicated to spirituality and the spread of the Salesian spirit. Attention will be paid to the Salesian model of holiness and the missionary dimension of the charism.

At the end of the Congress, on the Sunday morning there will be a reflection on the future of the charism of Don Bosco starting from the Second Vatican Council, linking with the immediate past in order to understand the decisions that affected the Salesian communities, causing them to become what they are today.

The programme also includes the presentation of some books: “Salesian Sources," "Letters of Don Bosco," "Salesian Historiography - studies and documents in the post-conciliar period." There will also be time for reflection and sharing on themes of spirituality.

According to Sr Loparco, "The presentation of several pages of Salesian history in this Congress is not just of intellectual or cultural value in the academic sense. It goes beyond that by starting a hermeneutic circle that involves every participant as a living part of this story."

Published 17/11/2014