GC29: Global Perspective, Statistics, & Rector Major's Report

GC29: A Global Perspective, Statistical Data, and the Rector Major’s Report

Fr. Hugo Orozco

(ANS – Turin – February 26, 2025) – The 2d day of presentations of reports by the general councilors at the 29th General Chapter (GC29) provided the chapter members with an in-depth view of the Salesian world, focusing today on the 2d group of Salesian regions. After analyzing 4 regions yesterday, today the regions of Interamerica, Central and Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean were presented.

The regional councilors’ reports

The respective regional councilors—Fr. Hugo Orozco Sanchez (Interamerica), Fr. Roman Jachimowicz (Central and Northern Europe), and Fr. Juan Carlos Perez Godoy (Mediterranean)—illustrated the reports that complement the Rector Major’s Report to GC29, offering a comprehensive overview of the challenges, successes, and future prospects of their regions.

Part of Report on Interamerica Region

The financial situation of the Congregation

The morning continued with the report by Bro. Jean Paul Muller, treasurer general, who presented the financial status of the Congregation, highlighting the progress made and the challenges ahead. His presentation emphasized the importance of sustainable and responsible management of the Congregation’s resources, promoting an increasingly effective Salesian mission.

Bro. Jean-Paul Muller

The Congregation’s statistical data

In the afternoon, Bro. Marco Bay, director of the Central Salesian Archives, presented the statistical data of the Congregation from 2020 to 2025, offering a detailed analysis of trends and developments over the past 5 years. This presentation provided a complete overview of the global state of the Congregation, highlighting strengths and areas requiring greater attention.

The heart of the day: the Rector Major’s Report

The central moment of the day was undoubtedly the much-anticipated Rector Major’s Report to GC29, read and presented by the vicar, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, on behalf of Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime.

The report reviewed the 5 years since GC28, offering a chronicle of events and a profound spiritual reflection filled with messages inspired by the Holy Spirit. The text meticulously verified the implementation of the programmatic guidelines set in 2020, bringing to light both strengths and weaknesses.

“It has been a six-year period of growth in Salesian identity, a charismatic identity born from the action of the Holy Spirit through Don Bosco,” said the Rector Major. Aware of the diverse realities of the provinces, he reaffirmed: “Evangelization and the explicit proclamation of the faith have strongly characterized the Congregation’s journey in these years.” Furthermore, he reminded the chapter members of the constant challenge: “Every young person must find in the Salesian a friend, an educator, and a witness of God every day.”

Formation and mission

To address this challenge, the Rector Major emphasized the importance of formation: “Formation must be in mission, as Pope Francis has indicated to us.” He recommended that the Ratio Studiorum, developed by the Formation Department, be revised in light of this GC29 and delivered to the new Rector Major and general council for final approval.

Priority for young people and missionary creativity

Reaffirming the absolute priority for young people, especially the poor, abandoned, and most vulnerable, the Rector Major declared: “We have not made a single decision without taking this priority into account, and every province in the world has made it explicit.” He also highlighted the growing involvement of laypeople, including in leadership roles, while underscoring the need for shared formation in the Salesian mission.

The Rector Major expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Salesian Family and the work of the general postulator’s office, which continues to bring to light examples of holiness that nourish the spirituality of the Congregation.

Fr. Stefano Martoglio

A vision for the future

Concluding his address, the Rector Major shared his dream for the Salesian Congregation: “I dream that we will continue to be creative in listening to the Spirit of God, who will lead us to new models of presence and new expressions of the Salesian charism.” He entrusted this vision to Mary Help of Christians, reminding the chapter members: “She continues to do everything in the family of Don Bosco.”

The day ended with a renewed sense of mission and a clear vision for the future shared by all participants, as GC29 continues to chart the path of the Salesian Congregation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Mary Help of Christians.