Signs of Hope in a Fragmented World

Signs of Hope in a Fragmented World

The Concluding Message of the 29th General Chapter

(Published by ANS on April 14)

(ANS – Rome – April 12, 2025) – The 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation concluded on April 12 at the basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome, following the Eucharistic celebration. This moment marked the culmination of a journey of discernment, reflection, and prayer lasting 55 days, with the central theme "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young.”

The concluding ceremony, held around midday, was a moment of deep gratitude, communion, and renewed commitment to the future of the Salesian mission. The presence Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, whose titular church is the Sacred Heart Basilica, added an additional sign of spiritual support to the Congregation.

The Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, delivered his concluding address, in which he shared the fruits of the chapter and outlined the guidelines for the future of the Congregation.

In his speech, Fr. Fabio expressed profound gratitude for the experience lived during the general chapter, describing it as a "moment of Salesian Pentecost.” He highlighted how the Holy Spirit guided every phase of the chapter through the method of "conversation in the Spirit,” and he invited the entire Congregation to continue on this path of listening and discernment.

Fr. Fabio with the new general council.
Our Fr. Gabe is 5th from left.

Key Points from Fr. Fabio’s Address

The Presence of the Holy Spirit
The chapter was experienced as a moment of Pentecost, in which the Holy Spirit was constantly invoked and perceived, guiding the Salesians in their discernment.

The Chapter as a Milestone
Fr. Fabio described the chapter as a milestone that ensures continuity with the journey begun in Valdocco and is now renewed with the same spirit of commitment and dedication.

The Final Document
The chapter concluded with the approval of a Final Document, which will guide the Congregation from 2025 to 2031. However, Fr. Fabio emphasized that the value of this document will depend on the Salesians’ ability to maintain the spirit of listening, openness, and accompaniment by the Holy Spirit.

Personal Conversion
Fr. Fabio stressed the importance of personal conversion, emphasizing that every pastoral renewal must start with a profound and authentic change in the heart of each Salesian. Personal conversion, he said, is not an intimate experience but the foundation for renewed pastoral and spiritual care.

Knowing Don Bosco
It is not enough to love Don Bosco; it is necessary to know him deeply. Fr. Fabio warned against a superficial knowledge of the Salesian charism, which risks reducing the mission to mere superficial activities. He urged Salesians to  study Don Bosco seriously to embody his spirit in today’s contexts.

A Sign of Hope in a Fragmented World
In a world marked by conflicts, wars, and ideologies that strip young people of their dignity, Fr. Fabio reminded the Salesians that they must be a sacrament of hope, offering young people spaces for growth, welcome, and a future.

Courage and Authenticity
He called on the Salesians to grow in fidelity and prophecy, emphasizing that these virtues form the foundation of the Salesian mission. The courage shown during the chapter must serve as the basis for tackling future challenges without being paralyzed by fear.

New Challenges
He identified two areas of focus for the future:

• Artificial intelligence (AI), seen as a new frontier for the Salesian mission. Fr. Fabio reminded that while AI can be a useful tool, it can never replace the human and pastoral touch that defines the Salesian charism.
• Care for integral ecology, which requires a change in mindset and an educational commitment to fostering a healthy relationship with creation.

The Vision of the Valdocco Oratory
Fr. Fabio reiterated that the model of the Valdocco Oratory—a home, a parish, a school, and a playground—must remain the permanent criterion for discerning and renewing every Salesian activity.

Words of Gratitude
At the end of his speech, Fr. Fabio expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Stefano Martoglio, vicar of the Rector Major, for his contribution in guiding the Congregation during the preparation of the chapter. He also expressed his appreciation to Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, moderator of the chapter, for his dedication in coordinating the work. He thanked Fr. Pascual Chavez, for his valuable contribution during the chapter and for agreeing to prepare reflections useful for implementing the directives of the chapter. He welcomed and thanked Cardinal Versaldi for his presence and spiritual encouragement.

After these acknowledgments, Fr. Owoudou declared the 29th General Chapter officially closed.

The ceremony concluded with all the chapter participants turning to the famous painting of Mary Help of Christians, entrusting the fruits of GC29 to the hands of the Blessed Mother, and renewing their commitment to living Don Bosco’s charism with authenticity, singing and praying the Marian hymn.

Looking to the Future

GC29 has left a strong spiritual and pastoral legacy, offering a clear vision for the next 6 years. As Fr. Fabio emphasized: “When we are truly passionate about Christ and dedicated to the young, we discover that walking together is beautiful, even if it is challenging.” With this perspective, the Salesian Family is ready to continue its journey, bringing hope, light, and love to young people around the world.

GC29 Concludes

GC29 Concludes in Turin
Final Document Approved; Journey Continues with Mary

(ANS – Turin – April 9, 2025) – The spiritual conclusion of the SDBs’ 29th General Chapter will take place with a Mass at the Vatican and the passage thru the Holy Door. The overlap between the early conclusion of the 2020–2026 six-year term and the Jubilee Year offers a symbolic opportunity to end the Salesian assembly in Rome.

This final leg involves significant logistical efforts: approximately 250 participants—provincials, delegates, and support team—will travel from Turin to Rome, many with substantial luggage after 2 months away from home. The group will be hosted at various SDB houses in Rome including St. Callistus, Pius XI, Bufalotta, the Salesian Pontifical University, and the Generalate (Sacred Heart). Their pilgrimage ends at the tomb of St. Peter, wrapping up a chapter marked by deep spiritual conversation and discernment.

The chapter members are now preparing to return to their communities, which await both their presence and the insights gathered at the Salesian motherhouse in Turin’s Valdocco neighborhood. For most, the deadline is Easter Sunday—a celebration of hope and redemption that actively shapes history. Thruout the chapter, participants continually reflected on the suffering endured by many confreres from countries afflicted by war, natural disasters, or climate change.

To represent this collective suffering symbolically, the final Good Night was entrusted to Fr. Andriy Bodnar, SDB, superior of the Greek Catholic vice province of Ukraine. His poignant testimony deeply resonated with all those present, including those who had personally endured such hardships (including confreres from Burma, Congo, the Somali Peninsula, Sudan, and the Holy Land), and those offering support in various forms. His words encapsulated the global spirit of the chapter, transforming suffering into a commitment to restore dignity and rights.

Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard offered a heartfelt farewell—one that left space for further reflection in Rome. “I’ve only just arrived, two weeks ago,” he said, “while you’ve been here for eight....” (Fr. Fabio wasn’t a chapter member until his election on March 25.) He encouraged everyone to carry the joy and treasures of GC29 back to their provinces with courage and hope.

On the morning of April 8, the assembly unanimously approved the final document—a challenging task, given the need to find common language among delegates from 136 countries. Yet this intercultural effort bore fruit. The capitulars now take home not just a document, but a shared desire to draw closer to the Lord and to “do whatever He tells you,” echoing Mary’s words at Cana, which had been a focus of prayer and reflection thruout the assembly.

Fr. Eunan McDonnell, provincial of Ireland, offered a deep meditation on the Gospel of Luke: “She treasured all these things in her heart.” That same process now awaits the chapter members—allowing the experiences of Turin, the journey back, and the joy of reunion to settle not just in the mind, but in the heart.

On the penultimate day, during a prolonged moment of prayer, the Salesians entrusted their hopes and worries into Mary’s hands. Continuing this gesture, Fr. Attard announced a special gift: on April 9, the day of departure, he would present each participant with a “Medal of Mary” that had spent a night at Colle Don Bosco, where St. John Bosco was born. “This is not a pious gesture,” said Fr. Attard, “but a real act of entrustment to our Mother.”

It is expected that one of the new Rector Major’s first initiatives will be a reflection on devotion to Mary Help of Christians as a charismatic expression of Salesian spirituality—following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Fr. Egidio Viganò (†1995).