The Mysticism of Salesian Life

The Mysticism of Salesian Life
Encountering God Through Young People

(ANS – Turin – February 20, 2025) – On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, during the 3d day of the spiritual retreat for the participants of the 29th General Chapter, the reflection presented by Fr. Pascual Chavez focused on the “method” that can guide the spiritual experience. His discourse was designed as a guide to approaching the progression of one’s relationship with God – also in light of the experiences of great saints and mystics such as St. Ignatius and St. Teresa.

“Meditation,” explained Fr. Chavez, “is the opportunity to present ourselves before him as his children, with our full, unique, and inalienable personal reality.” For this reason, meditation is not merely a practice or a time dedicated to intellectual deepening; rather, it is a dialog that does not begin with the individual but with the Lord. “This is why listening to him through his Word is so important. A well-established and effective method is lectio divina, which should not replace meditation but enrich it.”

The community dimension also supports the individual: “Fraternal sharing of what the Lord wants to tell us is one of the aspects that can deepen both our communion and our communication.”

To live the mysticism of Salesian life as prayer, Fr. Chávez referred to Article 95 of the Salesian Constitutions, which states: “The Salesian learns to encounter God through those to whom he is sent. Discovering the fruits of the Spirit in the lives of people, especially the young, he gives thanks in all things; sharing their problems and sufferings, he invokes for them the light and strength of his presence.”

This is true mysticism. “The One who enables us to live it in its fullness is the Holy Spirit,” the preacher explained. “He is a fundamental reality in our human, Christian, and religious life.”

The most beautiful example is Mary, in whom we can perceive a unique relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. She is attributed with the three deepest human relationships: Daughter - Spouse - Mother.

Similarly, Joseph – who was remembered as co-patron of the Salesian Congregation during the Mass presided over by Fr. Jorge Crisafulli, superior of the Nigeria Niger Province – is a model of deep unity with God in prayer. “Joseph’s humility led him to be concerned not for himself, but for Mary and the child. Above all, he listened to the Word and followed the Lord’s will. He loved without asking many questions, placing his full trust in Providence. He surrendered unconditionally to God’s hands and set out on his journey to protect the Holy Family.”

All official photos of GC29 are available on Flickr.