Taking part in the event entitled “accompanying the Salesians-Cooperators, the ADMA Associates, the Past Pupils,” were 80 people including the Delegates and members of the various lay groups of the Salesian Family. Also present was Fr José Pastor Ramírez, World Delegate for the Don Bosco Past Pupils and the Coordinator of the Salesian Family.

During the two days there were three main talks. Fr Gianni Mazzali, Superior of the “Saint Paul” Province of the Salesians in Sicily, spoke about the communion between the Salesians and the FMA as consecrated persons in the Salesian Family; the roles and the functions of those responsible for the Salesian Family were examined by Fr Ramírez; while Fr Calogero Montanti, Rector of the “Casa Tabor” in Sant’Alfio, spoke about the importance of the Delegate in transmitting the charism to the lay people.

Each talk was followed by questions and discussion and the suggestion of practical proposals for implementing the themes. On the evening of Friday 11 February there was a session of group work replying to a series of questions put by Fr Ramírez in his talk.

Reflections during the Congress also indicated certain guidelines for the future. In particular, as regards the subject of the charism emphasis was given to the need for the Delegates to know thoroughly the identity of the individual Associations, in order to respond more appropriately to the needs of the members. Also emphasised was the importance of the consecrated and the lay people knowing each other better with regard to their identity and their roles; the “charismatic responsibility” which the Salesians and the FMA have regarding the various branches of the Salesian Family was also re-affirmed.

The subject of formation was considered from both the point of view of the Delegates and that of the lay members of the Salesian Family. As far as the Delegates are concerned  it was  observed that their formation ought to be directed to making them spiritual guides and in the case of the Salesians, sacramental guides too; and that it is also necessary to invest in communicative formation and in the capacity to be open and welcoming. Then for the lay people, the importance of a complete formation, including human values, Christian and charismatic development was repeated.

Finally from the point of view of animation, the meeting invited the groups to achieve a mature autonomy, which would lead them to being protagonists in ecclesial and civil life; and the Delegates to carry out their own role of animation with dedication and availability devoting to it the necessary time and effort.
 
Published 15/02/2011