GC29 at the Halfway Point

GC29 at Halfway: Spiritual Reflections and Missionary Visions

The chapter at Mass in the basilica of MHC

(ANS – Turin – March 18, 2025) – At GC29 the weekend of March 15-16, presented the participants with a dual challenge: first, to take stock of the journey now at its halfway point, giving the necessary momentum for the weeks ahead; and 2d, to open a broader vision beyond the chapter itself, in light of the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition (1875-2025).

Fr. Pascual Chavez initiated the session on Saturday with a profound reflection on the themes engaging the participants. He highlighted the continuity between the general chapters that followed Vatican II, emphasizing the Salesians’ ongoing journey between faithfulness to God and responding to the needs of young people. “Today, the Salesian is called to reaffirm the centrality of the mission, as a witness and bearer of God's love, especially for the poorest and most abandoned,” said the rector major emeritus. “This mission is lived in community, in co-responsibility with the laity, giving life to a new pastoral protagonist,” as indicated by GC24.

The chapter is not merely an organizational plan but a movement of the Spirit. To grasp its significance fully, the meditation on Matthew 18:20 [“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst”] offered by Fr. Eunan McDonnell, Irish provincial, was particularly enlightening. “It is a presence not only within each individual but among those gathered. It is an entity that joins the group. Jesus is ready to give us his time.” The community, therefore, is more than just a group of youth educators; it is a shared spiritual journey.

The trip to Genoa: a missionary reflection

Presumably at a Salesian house in Genoa
Fr. Dom Tran is in the 1st row standing, 8 from the right.

A journey to Genoa, including a stop at the port where Don Bosco—visibly moved—bid farewell to the first 10 Salesians departing for the New World, provided both a historical excursion and a strong inspiration to reconsider the missionary dynamic blessed by the founder. Originally sent to assist Italian migrants in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century—offering both spiritual and material care—the young and courageous sons of Don Bosco, led by Fr. John Cagliero, gave shape to the dream of reaching the legendary Patagonia. Today, too, Salesians are called to embrace new challenges with openness and adaptability while remaining faithful to their charism.

Core Theme 2: Sharing Spirituality and Mission in the EPC

This reflective journey set the stage for Monday, March 17, a day entirely dedicated to addressing Core Theme 2:
– Sharing spirituality and mission within the educational and pastoral community
– Educating and evangelizing
– Exploring new expressions of the Salesian charism
All within a context that increasingly involves greater co-responsibility from laypeople engaged in the Salesian mission.

The guidelines for the work of the chapter’s 6 committees emphasize concrete action, with reference to past work:
– Completing the reflections of GC28 on shared mission
– Promoting spiritual and apostolic life
– Collaborating with laypeople to ensure financial sustainability for Salesian presences, without ever excluding the poor

New models of presence and newer expressions of the Salesian charism must be sought, fostering true communion with young people, including in the areas of integral ecology and digital culture.