Lent Provides a Model for GC29

CG29: Lent as a Model for Chapter Work

(ANS – Turin – March 6, 2025) – At the heart of the “conversation in the Spirit” taking place at CG29 in Turin-Valdocco, the moment of personal meditation became even more profound on Ash Wednesday.

While the work within the committees has now settled into a steady rhythm—constantly refining and reshaping group dynamics to maximize dialog among participants—the 225 chapter members gathered at midday in the basilica of Mary Help of Christians to celebrate the Ash Wednesday rite, which marked the beginning of the Mass presided over by Fr. Giuseppe Roggia.

Drawing an analogy to the rural practice of scattering ashes over fields and gardens—ashes accumulated during winter from fires used for warmth—Fr. Roggia emphasized that the liturgical symbol of this day should be seen as a gesture of renewal rather than mere mourning.

“The 40-day period we are entering is not meant to immerse us in a sacred mourning,” he explained. “It is not simply about making sacrifices thru reduced consumption, but rather about setting out on a journey toward the fullness of life. Giving up something or dedicating more time to prayer should allow us to enter more deeply into our own hearts. More than a time of mortification, Lent should be lived as a time of vivification.”

Many present recognized the parallel between the words of the liturgy and the ongoing work of the Salesian Congregation. Just as Lent prepares for renewal, so does the chapter, as it lays the groundwork for the future, identifying where the Salesian charism can be sown anew.

At the dawn of spring, the first task is to spread what might appear to be mere “waste”—but in reality, is a rich concentration of minerals that reinvigorate the soil depleted from past cultivation. At the same time, this layer of ash serves as a protective barrier against harmful pests. It is a process oriented toward hope, ensuring the growth of what will truly nourish and bring joy. At first, hands may be covered in dust and breath may feel labored, but experience has shown that this work is essential.

“The days ahead are meant to reconcile us with others and with ourselves,” Fr. Roggia concluded. “It is a journey we repeat to renew a fundamental question: What truly defines me as a person?” This reflection applies not only to individuals but to the entire Salesian Family as they move forward together.