(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Family Spirituality Days are back again for another year. This is the 31st occasion, of study, unity and charismatic sharing, and will involve 400 people from 28 countries. The theme, which draws on the Rector Major's Strenna is dedicated to Don Bosco's pedagogy.

The days are a study experience because the programme is filled with stimuli for understanding and for human, Christian and Salesian formation. The emphasis of addresses, the speakers and the topics assigned to them, all carefully selected, is in keeping with the Strenna theme which the Rector Major gives annually, following the tradition begun by Don Bosco. The theme is entrusted to the whole Salesian world. The Programme for these days is a study which does its best to involve the participants actively.

The Days are an experience of unity because they bring together representatives of the 31 Groups that make up the Salesian Family: religious orders and associations of lay and consecrated people either founded by Don Bosco or which take inspiration from his charism and educational style. This year, 2013, 23  of the Groups are represented.

The Days are an experience of charismatic sharing because they offer, as well as developing the Strenna theme, times for fellowship, prayer, sharing. Just being together, and especially the group work, offers a fine opportunity for mutual understanding amongst participants who bring their experience, pastoral practice, cultural, social and educational challenges in their various geographical contexts to the discussion.

The Spirituality Days this year goes beyond the walls of the Salesianum in Rome. Thanks to new technologies the event can be followed from home as it unfolds. Texts of addresses, the videos, photographs, and audio resources are available in a web site set up by collaboration between the organising team, the Social Communication Department and Missioni Don Bosco.

The concluding Mass on 20 January, celebrated by Fr Pascual Chávez, will be transmitted by Telepace and in streaming on missionidonbosco.tv at 10 a.m. and repeated at 12:50 GMT+1.

The experiences of people and works this year offers strong support. This afternoon three young people will respond, in the light of their personal experience, to Fr Juan José Bartolomé's biblical contribution. The Round Table planned for Friday morning will have 4 speakers who from their professional experience, will throw light on the Preventive System: from the world of youth, David Viagulasamy (European SYM Coordinator); education and human rights, Carola Carazzone (President VIS); pedagogy, Alessandro D’Avenia (writer and teacher); Socio-political, Cristiano Magdi Allam (journalist, politician and writer). In the afternoon, at Cinecittà, where participants will move to, some best practice in Salesian pedagogy will be presented and in the evening the post-novices from Nave will offer a recital. Over these days, in fact, the young Salesians have been putting the final touches to this show which will have its premiere in Rome, “Live-wire!”

Published 17/01/2013