(ANS – Turin) – A meeting of the Salesian Forum took place in Valdocco, Turin from 27 to 30 August.  This is an initiative that belongs to a long standing Salesian tradition. In the past we called it Colloqui Salesiani, but recently a new start was made. The intention is to promote the study of Don Bosco and the Salesian tradition at European level through a mutual exchange of ideas. This most recent meeting was held as we draw near to the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and lay people exchanged ideas and experiences on the theme “Reasonableness in the Preventive System.”

The Salesian Forum takes places every two years and consists of a three-day meeting for discussion and reflection on topics of Salesian interest. The aims of the Salesian Forum are as follows:

1. To promote exchange between experts and practitioners in the Salesian tradition, both male and female, in all its aspects – pedagogy, pastoral ministry, and spirituality, 
2. To contribute to the updating of the Salesian educational and pastoral method and to the success of Project Europe.

The theme treated in this gathering of the Forum was “reasonableness”, one of the three pillars of the Preventive System. Reasonableness is an attitude of mind of the Salesian educator who, on the one hand, remains reasonable, working within determined structures and rules, and, on the other hand,  appeals to the reasonableness of the people being educated. Don Bosco invites us to find a proper balance between the rules – without lapsing into repression – and the freedom given to young people ­ – without falling into anarchy.

The speakers were Fr Roger Burggraeve, Fr Michael Pellerey, Fr Joe Boenzi, Sister Enrica Rosanna and Fr Charles Nanni.

The next meeting will take place in Germany on religion as a pillar of the Preventive System.

Published 03/09/2013