(ANS – Rome) – Representatives of the different groups of the Salesian Family came together at the Generalate in Rome from 24 to 26 May, for the annual meeting of the World Advisory Council on the Salesian Family. The principal topics for the meeting were: a first presentation of the Strenna for 2014, on Don Bosco’s spirituality: the celebration of the Bicentenary; the 2014 Spirituality Days; an exchange of news between the different groups.

Among the participants were the Superiors General and World Leaders of some groups of the Salesian Family. Apart from the Rector Major, these included Sr Natanaela Bednarczyk, Superior of the Sisters of St Michael the Archangel; Sr Jesús Amelia Alvarado, Superior of the Daughters of the Divine Saviour; the Councillor for the Salesian Family of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Maria Luisa Miranda; the President of the Association of Mary Help of Christians, Mr Tullio Lucca; the World Responsible of the Volunteers with Don Bosco, Mr Liborio Scibetta; the President of the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Miss Paola Staiano; the Coordinator General of the Witnesses of the Resurrection, Mr Lello Nicastro; Mrs Noemi Bertola, World Coordinator of the Salesian Co-operators. The participants were 35 in all, representing 20 groups of the Salesian Family.

Proceedings began on the Friday afternoon with a word of welcome from Fr Adrian Bregolin, Vicar of the Rector Major, after which the different groups present were introduced. On the Saturday morning, Fr Chavez presented the first draft of the theme for the 2014 Strenna. He thanked the groups for their great sense of belonging to the Salesian Family, and wished them well in carrying out the educative and pastoral plans they had shared.

At the request of the Rector Major, the most important aspects of the life and work of the Salesian Family for the six-year period 2008-2014 were highlighted. Among those mentioned were the following: the strong commitment of the Rector Major and his Vicar in animating the Salesian Family; the growth in the number of groups; the theme of the Strenna as a unifying force in the Salesian Family; the high standard of inputs on the Spirituality Days; the Identity Charter of the Salesian Family. Some challenges were also highlighted: a greater awareness and understanding at provincial and local level of the Charter of the Charismatic Identity of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco, and the animation of the Salesian Family as a charismatic duty.

In his Goodnight, the Rector Major dwelt on the figure of Pope Francis and the simple but profound way in which he speaks to the people. By presenting himself as the Bishop of Rome, the Pope has gained great respect among non-believers. He proclaims a poor Church and a servant Church, with Christ always at its centre.

Saturday and Sunday were given over to the presentation of the educative-pastoral experiences of the different groups in the course of year 2012-2013.

In his homily at the Sunday Mass, the Rector Major emphasized the centrality of the Most Holy Trinity in the identity of the Salesian Family, quoting from the Charter of the Charismatic Identity of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco:  “Reference to God the Father inspires and motivates the members and the Groups of the Salesian Family to welcome each other as brothers and sisters because loved by Him. Reference to Jesus Apostle of the Father, sent especially to the little ones, the poor and the sick, motivates every Group to highlight one or other of his features. The reference to the Holy Spirit relates to the fruitfulness of our Family since it is the Spirit who in raising up Don Bosco the Founder gave him a spiritual posterity”. (Identity Charter 5)

The next meeting of the World Advisory Council on the Salesian Family will take place next year from 30 May to 1 June.

The Salesian Family is a union of 30 ecclesial groups, of religious, consecrated and lay people, united by their sharing in the charism of Don Bosco.

Published 27/05/2013