As pointed out by Pope Benedict XVI in his two messages to the 26th General Chapter and by the Chapter itself, for the Sons of Don Bosco Europe appears as one of the new  frontiers on which to “re- launch the Salesian charism.”

The drawing up of the “Project for Europe,” begun immediately after the General Chapter, followed a very precise programme. In summer 2008 Fr Chávez co-involved the Provincials of  Europe and their Councils in an enquiry  in which starting from their own circumstances, they were asked to reflection on how to revive the Salesian witness and mission on the continent. The European Provincials suggested priorities, proposals for forms of collaboration and ways in which to coordinate the Project.

The replies were used to produce a “Working document,” which was studied during the meeting of the European Provincials held in Rome at the Generalate between 27 and 30 November 2008.

The reflections and the proposals which emerged were given to the Rector Major and the General Council who drew up the “Project for Europe.”

In the last few days Fr Chávez has appointed the members of a  Commission for the Project for Europe with Fr Francesco Cereda the Councillor for Formation as the chairman. The Commission is made up of the three Councillors for the Salesian mission: Fr Fabio Attard, Fr Vaclav Klement, Fr Filiberto Gonzalez, the three Regional Councillors for Europe: Fr Pierfausto Frisoli, Fr José Miguel Nuñez, Fr Stefano Turanský, and the Provincials: Fr Juan Bosco Sancho (for the West Europe Region), Fr Stefano Martoglio (for the Italy and Middle East Region), Fr Marek Chrzan (for the North Europe Region).

The Commission will have the task of identifying the objectives and the strategies of the Project for Europe, of defining them in terms of results that can be evaluated, of encouraging and monitoring the implementation of the Project. Every six months the Commission will meet and then report to the Rector Major  and to the General Council.

At the end of the winter plenary session the General Council approved the “Project for Europe” which is now being consigned to all the Salesians so that it may be shared by the whole Congregation.

Quoting the Pope’s appeal, in his message for the opening of the GC26, the Rector Major makes an appeal to the Salesians: “This then is the time for missionary generosity; I therefore appeal to all of you, dear confreres, also those who are in initial formation, to respond with eagerness and enthusiasm to the needs of evangelisation, following the example of the great apostle and missionary Saint Paul, the two thousandth anniversary of whose birth the whole Church is remembering this year.”

Further meetings of the European Provincials are planned for 2010 and 2012.

Published 31/01/2009