(ANS - Rome)- A meeting of the Provincials of Europe was held at the Generalate from 28 to 30 November. Its main work was to study and reflect on Project Europe which was entrusted to the Rector Major and his Council by the 26th General Chapter and taken up again by the new Rector Major during the 27th General Chapter. The participants worked together in a spirit of fraternity, united by the desire to understand what the Lord is asking of the Salesians for Europe and what new ways of working are called for today by the charism of Don Bosco.

The meeting was enriched by some reflections on the topic and by the presence of the Rector Major. The Salesian Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, shared his thoughts on the recent Synod on the family. The Vicar of the Rector Major and the Councillors in charge of the various sectors gave brief reports on the progress to date and on possible future developments.

A lot of time was devoted to evaluation and sharing by the Provincials and general councillors, working in small groups. They took into consideration the evaluation already done by the provincial councils on progress so far on the three points that have characterized Project Europe since its inception in 2008:

• revitalization of existing Salesian works;

• the restructuring of the European Provinces;

• the reception of missionaries to Europe.

This led to a rich and stimulating sharing of ideas, pastoral practices and visions, in a Europe that is made up of very diverse situations that need to be known and understood. The presence of two General Councillors of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians was significant as testimony of the desire to walk in communion, in listening and sharing.

The work began with evaluation and reports given to the assembly. They moved on then to some pointers for the way forward. The method and times of evaluation were agreed.  During the assembly meetings there was ample opportunity for discussion with the various  speakers and with the Rector Major. Discussions were very practical and there was a great spirit of fraternity.

On 30 November the work ended with a talk by the Rector Major. He re-echoed much of what was shared by the groups, and gave guidelines for the way forward.  These will be made more specific and concrete in the near future by the General Council and by setting up a commission for Project Europe that will move the situation forward.

The next plenary meeting of the Provincials of Europe is scheduled for 2016. Work continues now in the knowledge of the strong common desire to make the Salesian charism more relevant and alive in the Church in Europe.

Published 03/12/2014