Salesian General Chapters 15-21

Salesian General Chapters 15-21

(ANS – Rome – February 12, 2025) – From 1938 to 1977: this is the time span embraced by the general chapters of the Salesian Congregation from the 15th to the 21st. During this long period of great geo-political, social, and ecclesial transformations, the Pious Salesian Society, like the whole Church, was called upon to change, not only out of necessity or fashion, but to continue to keep its charism alive and meaningful in the new contexts that had emerged.

World War II, with all the upheavals it entailed and the new balances that were created at its end, with many countries now in the hands of regimes openly hostile to the Church; the youth protests and social transformations of the 1960s; the Second Vatican Council; etc. This is the background against which the Salesians had to act in the period under consideration. There were many challenges, therefore, for the Salesians, who were regularly called, thru the general chapters, to discern how to direct the Congregation’s path in that period.

GC15 was convened in 1938, after many superiors and Salesians from all over the world had already come to Italy in 1934 for the canonization of Don Bosco; it focused particularly on formation issues and, considering the growth and development of the Congregation, saw an increase in general councilors from 3 to 5.

The next chapter, planned in theory for 1944, could take place only in 1947 because of the World War II. The postwar theater inevitably influenced the theme and the decisions to be made, to give concrete answers to the young people left to themselves and out on the streets, to those in need of everything, to the Salesians who had been isolated for a long time.

Fr. Renato Ziggiotti was elected as the 5th successor of Don Bosco at GC17, after the death of Fr. Ricaldone in November 1951. The chapter, which saw the chapter members return to the Valdocco site, was held in the summer so that the school premises otherwise used for classes could be used. From various Salesian provinces in Eastern Europe, only a few exceptional delegates were able to attend, since the provincials and delegates in charge were forbidden to participate by their respective regimes.

GC18, also held in the summer at Valdocco, explored issues such as religious observance and the Salesian apostolate in its traditional forms, but also the application of Pius XII’s apostolic constitution Sedes Sapientiae on religious, clerical, and apostolic formation and the veneration to be paid to Dominic Savio, now recognized as a saint (1954).

The 19th GC was important for many reasons: it was the first to be held in Rome (at the new facilities of the Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum), opening something that would mark the next eight chapters; it was the longest held up to that time (51 days); it took place with the Vatican Council still in progress; and taking its cue from the work of renewal, it served to redefine the figure of the Salesian “as he must be.” Precisely because of this impetus for change, it was also the first in which a new rector major was elected with the previous one still living: Fr. Ziggiotti asked not to be re-elected so that others could set out on the new path, and Fr. Luigi Ricceri was chosen in his place.

The next chapter, the 20th, was the “extraordinary” one, made necessary to assimilate the Council’s novelties in depth. It was the longest ever (almost 7 months, straddling two years), it took place in Rome, but in the new generalate on Via della Pisana, and led to the approval of the new Constitutions, new Regulations, and new pastoral and operational doctrinal “orientations.”

Finally, the ordinary GC21 was the one that saw the election of Fr. Egidio Viganò, who remained in office for almost three terms. This chapter, celebrated on the centennial of GCI (1877), sought to return to the Don Bosco of the origins, with the aim of becoming specialized evangelizers of the young; living as authentic religious in mission; taking care of ongoing formation. The jewel in the crown of this chapter was the launch of Project Africa, vigorously promoted by the newly elected Fr. Viganò.

The following is a summary of these 7 Salesian general chapters (1938-1977), indicating the original structure with details of the president (rector major), moderator, members, place, duration, key themes, and particular notes or significant developments.

15. GC XV (1938) - Salesian Formation

• Location: Rebaudengo (Turin)
• Duration: 15 days (June 23 - July 7)
• President: Fr. Peter Ricaldone
• Moderator: Fr. Renato Ziggiotti
• Members: 105 chapter members
• Themes: The formation of Salesian personnel (houses for aspirants, novitiates, philosophical and theological studentates).
• Notes and significant developments: Increase in the number of superior councilors from 3 to 5.

 

16. GC XVI (1947) - Postwar Renewal

• Location: Valsalice
• Duration: 19 days (August 24 - September 11)
• President: Fr. Peter Ricaldone
• Moderator: Fr. Renato Ziggiotti
• Members: 110 chapter members (out of 112 invited)
• Themes: Adapt Salesian activities to the needs of postwar reconstruction.
• Notes and significant developments: Adoption of SDB as the official acronym of the Congregation.

 

17. GC XVII (1952) - Vocations and Missions

• Place: Valdocco
• Duration: 15 days (July 31 - August 14)
• President: Fr. Renato Ziggiotti
• Moderator: Fr. Secondo Manione
• Members: 114 chapter members
• Themes: Development of vocational schools, missions, and formation houses.
• Notes and significant developments: Election of Fr. Renato Ziggiotti as 5th successor of Don Bosco.

 

18. GC XVIII (1958) - Religious Discipline and Apostolate

• Place: Valdocco
• Duration: 14 days (July 27 - August 9)
• President: Fr. Renato Ziggiotti
• Moderator: Fr. Alvin Fedrigotti
• Members: 119 chapter members (out of 128 invited)
• Themes: Religious observance, application of the Constitution Sedes Sapientiae, parishes, and oratories.
• Notes and significant developments: Reflection on the Salesian apostolate in parishes and schools.

 

19. GC XIX (1965) - Adaptation to the Second Vatican Council

• Place: Rome, P.A.S.
• Duration: 53 days (April 19 - June 10)
• President: Fr. Renato Ziggiotti (until his resignation) and Fr. Luigi Ricceri
• Moderator: Fr. Archimedes Pianazzi
• Members: 151 chapter members, 19 experts, 8 auditors
• Themes: Renewal in line with the Vatican II and reflection on the figure of the Salesian.
• Notes and significant developments: First GC celebrated in Rome; Fr. Ziggiotti resigned, and Fr. Ricceri was elected rector major.

 

20. CGS XX (1971-72) - Special Chapter of Renewal

• Place: Pisana Generalate, Rome
• Duration: 210 days (June 10, 1971 - January 5, 1972)
• President: Fr. Luigi Ricceri
• Moderator: Fr. Gaetano Scrivo
• Members: 202 chapter members, 12 observers, 4 experts
• Themes: Renewal of the Salesian Society (nature, consecrated life, formation, governance structures).
• Notes and significant developments: Approval of the Constitutions ad experimentum; longest chapter in the history of the Congregation.

 

21. GC XXI (1977-78) - Evangelization and Mission

• Location: Pisana
• Duration: 105 days (October 31, 1977 - February 12, 1978)
• President: Fr. Luigi Ricceri (until his resignation) and Fr. Egidio Viganò
• Moderator: Fr. Raffaele Farina
• Members: 184 chapter members, 10 observers, 7 secretaries, 8 translators
• Themes: Evangelizing and witnessing to the Gospel among the young.
• Notes and significant developments: Election of Fr. Egidio Viganò as rector major and launch of Project Africa.