(ANS – Rome) – The 4th World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators, which saw around 250 delegates for the review and approval of the Project of Apostolic Life (PVA), ended yesterday morning, the 11th of November. The coordinating role of the Association, for the first time, a woman was appointed: Noemi Bertola. The Rector Major's strong exhortation to become protagonists of social, political and cultural life: "the need to leave the sacristies!".

On Saturday afternoon, during a session of the General Assembly, the Rector Major called Noemi Bertola to serve, for the next six years, the important and delicate task of Global Coordinator. Ms. Bertola, past-pupil of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, will be assisted by the World Council to discern the signs of the times and to meet the challenges of today with the pastoral boldness that characterized Don Bosco.

The new Statute, approved unanimously by the participants, is that the PVA will help the Association to ensure the fidelity to the charism of the holy founder. The thirty thousand Salesian Cooperators are spread over 11 regions: Italy-Middle East-Malta, Spain, Central Europe West, Central Europe East, Asia East-Oceania, South Asia, Africa-Madagascar, America Southern Cone, Interamerica, Brazil, Pacific Caribbean. Each of these regions has a global Councillor and all these together form the World Council.

The Congress has reflected the universality of the Salesian Family. All the Continents and all countries were represented, where the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are working for the human and Christian education of youth. The contexts are different and there are  multiple challenges. The laymembers of the Salesian Family are aware of it, but they face challenges with a positive view because they believe in young people and in their good resources. All the Salesian mission tends to unwind and grow, until maturity, the resources which are most often hidden or stifled from the young people.

The Salesian Cooperators, stimulated by the warm and prophetic words of the Rector Major, have renewed the commitment to join the vast movement of people who believe in God and in life, and devote all their energies to renew the society and the Church. Don Bosco chose education based on love as a sure way to make real and lasting changes. Men and women of different races and cultures recognize the charism of Don Bosco. Don Bosco in the introduction to the Rule wrote: the "Salesian Cooperators, i.e. a practical way to promote morality and civil society". It is translating today the meaning of these words.

The Rector Major has repeatedly rocked the Assembly with: "Get out of the sacristies!".

In thanking the participants, the new World Coordinator, said: "I am sure that the long and loving work done by all the Salesian Cooperators in the world for the revision of the PVA concluded in these days of discussion and constructive exchange, will have got closer to this model. Each of us, returning to our centres, will strive with renewed enthusiasm, to move towards this goal. "

In ANS channel there is a short video summary of the Congress.

Published 12/11/2012