(ANS - Rome)- The International Historical Congress for the Bicentenary, one of the major events planned for this year, will be held at the Salesianum in Rome from 19 to 23 November. It will bring together representatives of all the Provinces of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The theme is "Development of the charism of Don Bosco up to the middle of the twentieth century."

It is an event designed jointly by SDB and FMA from the outset. The coordinating group consists of Fr Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major, Sister Piera Cavaglià, Secretary General of the FMA, Fr Aldo Giraudo for the history of Salesian spirituality, Fr José Manuel Prellezo for the history of Salesian pedagogy, Fr Giorgio Rossi for the history of the Salesians and Fr Bruno Bordignon as secretary.

The final version of the programme of the Congress was published recently. There will be nine lectures in the course of the mornings and thirty-eight group sessions in the afternoons. There will also be the launch of three books: "Salesian Sources", "Letters of Don Bosco", and "Salesian Historiography - studies and documentation in the post-conciliar period".

The programme is divided into three days of study on the history of Salesian work, pedagogy and spirituality. There will be two half-days, one for the opening and another to conclude. In these sessions there will be some presentations on the current state of the charism of Don Bosco. Among those present will be the Rector Major, the Mother General of the FMA and representatives of the groups of the Salesian Family.

The Preparatory Committee agreed on the theme and title of the Congress after several meetings and much discussion. Sister Grace Loparco explains: "The question may arise: why celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco with an event that aims not to study his person directly, but the work that originated from him and continued after him? In fact, the biographical story of Don Bosco remains in the background, for several reasons. One is that much has been written about him and the context in which he lived. Another conference on the personal story of Don Bosco would be less useful as we look forward, as he loved to do, in terms of history and geography.”

She goes on to say: "With this theme we are fully in line with the Salesian historiography which, for at least the past fifteen years, has been studying Salesian work after the death of the founder. There is the story of a life that began on 16 August 1815 and ended on 31 January 1888.  There is simultaneously the story of the origin of a charism that began with him and has spread to all continents."

Published 09/10/2014