(ANS – Cochabamba) – On 31 August and 1 September at the “Fatima-Don Bosco” Retreat House in Cochabamba, there was a Congress attended by about 110 people  from all round the country and belonging to the various groups of the Salesian Family. The National Congress was devoted to an analysis of the Memoirs of the Oratory, proposed by the Rector Major in the first year of preparation for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco (1815-2015).

Planned for the end of the first year of preparation, the Congress had been promoted by the Provincial  Fr Cristóbal López who presided at it and by the National Commission for the Bicentenary led by Fr José Gallo.

During the Congress there were contributions from groups in the five regions (La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, North Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz City). Two key addresses were given: one historical by Fr Thelían Corona, Rector of the Salesian University of Bolivia, on the subject “Family and socio-economic background of Don Bosco’s boys between 1846 and 1855”; and the second, more of a reflection by Archbishop Tito Solari SDB of Cochabamba, who spoke about “Today’s families and young people in Bolivia”.

The Congress was marked by an atmosphere of close communion as the Church and the Salesian Family. Bishop Jesús Juárez of El Alto, was present for the opening ceremony and at the group work and at the end of the first day presided at Mass, during which he called on everyone to live the Salesian vocation and mission in harmony with the Church.

On the second day Archbishop Solar presided at Mass. In his homily he recalled the spiritual dimension and the strong union with God which were characteristics of Don Bosco’s life and which ought also to be found in the lives of all members of the Salesian Family. Other occasions such as the  moments of prayer or of socialising and the concert on the first evening contributed to creating an atmosphere of Salesian friendship and joy.

At the end many of those taking part agreed that it had been a very useful experience in getting to know Don Bosco better, encouraging further interest and study, and making their commitment to the Salesian mission more personal and effective. They also agreed to hold similar events in the future at both regional and national level, to study and examine further other aspects of Salesian pedagogy and spirituality.

Published 04/09/2012