(ANS – Rome) – This morning at the Salesianum, Rome, the 4th World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators Association began. About 250 delegates coming from various local and national associations were present.

The theme of the Congress – the Project of Apostolic Life: way of faithfulness to the charism of Don Bosco – will materialize in achieving three main objectives: the project final approval of Apostolic Life (PVA); appointment of a new World Coordinator; definition of the guidelines for the next six years.

The works were opened by greetings from the world Coordinator, Dr. Rosario Maiorano, the Rector Major and Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Dr. Maiorano, recalling the Salesian Cooperator's mission – "to be a living image of the perfect ' humanity ' of Christ incarnate among the young and the poor, following the example and teaching of Don Bosco" – described the path of verification and approval of PVA launched ad experimentum in 2006.

Together with the definition  of the PVA in this Congress the change of identity: Salesian Cooperators will also be definitively confirmed. A choice that confirms the charismatic reality, a return to origins and to the heart of Don Bosco, and "knits more tightly to the common Salesian mission our commitment to the Family of Don Bosco". Don Bosco, in fact, initially thought that a branch of his nascent Congregation should be composed of external Salesians: "Any person living in their own home within their family can belong to our society" (VII 885 MB).

"I'm here to witness our presence of the historical group of the Salesian Family which, with the Salesians, the Salesian Cooperators and the Association of Mary Help of Christians, share the privilege and responsibility to be established directly from Don Bosco", said the FMA Superior recalling how events that the Church is living – the Year of Faith, the Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the recent Synod on New Evangelization – are a "precious delivery that commits us to bear witness to the Christian life in the various continents".

The PVA should be flanked by "the Identity Card of the Salesian family" that "emphasizes the importance of the common roots of Salesian spirituality of different groups, sharers in the unique charisma that creates unity and a sense of belonging, gives significance to the whole Salesian Family, despite the diversity of vocations within it," said the Mother Superior of the FMA. The Salesian Family constitutes "an indispensable network, a crucial anchor for fruitful living our time, marked by great changes" and has a clear apostolic horizon: "We would like our youth, all the young to return to dream and to hope".

It was then followed by the main speech from Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva, Rector Major, and Head of the Salesian Cooperators Association.

The Salesian Cooperators Association, founded by Don Bosco in 1876, is composed of lay people, religious and priests who commit themselves to live and work according to the Salesian charism as a specific service to the Church in education and evangelization.

There are about 30,000 Salesians Cooperators in the world. With this Congress, they commit themselves to greater visibility at ecclesial, social and political level, in the service of education and the evangelization of young people.

The 4th Congress of the SSCC will conclude on Sunday 11th November with the participation in the Pope's Angelus, in St. Peter's Square.

Published 08/11/2012