A New Perspective for Salesian Brothers and the Congregation
(ANS – Turin – March 16, 2025) – A historic recommendation was made to the rector major and the general council that will soon be elected during GC29: to allow, ad experimentum, the assignment of the role of the director of the community also to coadjutor brothers. This decision marks not only an important moment for the Salesian Congregation but also a significant step for the entire Church.
To better understand the importance of this
change, we share the comments of the treasurer general, Bro. Jean Paul
Muller, who described this decision as a “moment of change” and a “renewed
appreciation of the brothers.”
A Moment of Change and New Opportunities
“The discussion we had in the chapter showed
us that there is a moment of change and a renewed appreciation of the brothers,”
said Bro. Muller. “On the one hand, these confreres have made significant
progress: they follow academic paths, and their way of living in the
Congregation has changed; on the other hand, they have started to take on new
responsibilities, finding themselves truly on the front line.”
This position of GC29 has its roots in a rescript
signed by Pope Francis in 2022, which authorized religious who are not priests to
hold positions of governance within clerical communities. But Bro. Muller
expressed a small regret for the time lost in not experimenting with this
possibility earlier: “I regret that we didn’t practice it back then because
there would’ve been an opportunity to 'test' it. Appointing a brother as a director
would’ve been a great experience to discuss in this chapter. Now we have to
wait and initiate a 6-year experiment.”
An Immediate but Limited Impact
When asked about the immediate impact of the
decision, Bro. Muller responded realistically but also with hope: “Not many
brothers will be called upon because their number is low. But I’m sure that
wherever they are appointed, this will be a great sign. A positive dynamic will
develop in those communities and provinces, and eventually thruout the
Congregation.”
Another relevant aspect touched upon by the treasurer
general concerns future vocations: “I hope this decision will have a good
influence on vocations. We must prepare ourselves: from today, brothers must be
trained as we already train priests, so that they can take on responsibilities
and represent Don Bosco wherever they find themselves.”
A Positive Innovation for the Entire
Congregation
Regarding the value of this decision for the
integrity of the Congregation, Bro. Muller added: “I believe so. I was one of
those who said to leave things as they are; I didn’t feel involved in planning
changes. But I have seen the development of the Salesians in recent years, and
that of the Church: today, all those who declare themselves Catholic feel this
wind of change.”
The decision made at GC29, therefore, is not
just an organizational choice but a sign of the times, a step toward a Church
and a Congregation increasingly capable of valuing the vocation of each member,
according to Don Bosco’s charism.
A Look Toward the Future
With the launch of the 6-year experiment, GC29 has opened a new path for Salesian brothers, offering them opportunities for leadership and increasing responsibility. This signal is not just a recognition of their past contributions but also a call to look to the future, with trust and hope, toward new forms of mission and service in the Church and among young people.
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