Rector Major Delivers His Message to the Salesian Family
Strenna
2026
(ANS – Rome – December 27, 2025) – On Saturday, December 27, Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard made the traditional presentation of the Salesian strenna for the new year at the Generalate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Rome. This meaningful gesture renews the unity and co-responsibility of the Salesian Family around the message of the rector major each year. It was a well-attended event, which brought together numerous members of the Salesian Family around the strenna that will accompany the spiritual and pastoral journey of 2026.
In the presence of the FMA mother general, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, the councilors of the general council of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and representatives of the various groups of the Salesian Family, Fr. Attard, 11th successor of Don Bosco, officially presented Strenna 2026, entitled “Do whatever he tells you - Believers, free to serve,” together with the strenna video produced by the Communication Department in collaboration with IME Communications.
The
auditorium witnessed the participation of numerous distinguished guests,
including the vicar of the rector major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio; the general
councilor for communications, Fr. Fidel Orendain; central delegate of
the rector major for the secretariat for the Salesian Family, Fr. Joan
Lluis Playà; the world coordinator of the Association of Salesian
Cooperators, Antonio Boccia; and the mother general of the Salesian
Oblates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mother Graziella Maria Benghini.
The
evening was opened by Sr. Leslie Sandigo, FMA general councilor for the
Salesian Family, who warmly welcomed those present and those connected via live
streaming. In her introductory words, she emphasized the value of the strenna
as a gift from the rector major and as a sign of unity for
the whole Salesian Family, recalling the heart of the message: to accept Mary’s
invitation to the wedding at Cana with the same willingness and freedom as the
servants, rediscovering our identity as servants of the Lord at the
service of young people.
This was followed by an intense introductory prayer, inspired by the Gospel passage of the wedding at Cana, animated by the singing of the Salesian novices. During the prayer, 5 amphorae were brought onto the stage, symbolizing the great areas of Salesian life and mission – living faith, educational passion, fraternal communion, prophecy, co-responsibility. The last amphora was carried together by the rector major, the mother general, and the Cooperators world coordinator, signifying the shared and co-responsible dimension of the Salesian charism.
At the
end of the prayer, the video presentation of Strenna 2026 was
screened in a world premiere, offering a current and engaging reading of
the theme starting from the Gospel scene at Cana. The video highlighted how
Mary’s invitation – “Do whatever he tells you” – opens up
a process of faith, freedom, and service, which today can be translated
into a concrete journey marked by 4 verbs: look, listen, choose, act. The
journey challenges the Salesian Family not to remain spectators, but to be
protagonists of God’s action in history, especially alongside young people and
those who “have no more wine.”
After
watching the video, Srs Ausilia De Siena, FMA general councilor for communications,
led a moment of dialog and discussion, involving Marta Rossi,
Salesian Cooperator, Alice Ferrigno, student at Auxilium, and Fr. Attard.
The dialog, enriched by some comments and questions from the audience, allowed
for a deeper understanding of the pastoral meaning of the strenna and
its concrete implications for the daily life of educational
communities.
In
response to questions that emerged from the dialog, about why young people
should follow Christ, it was reiterated that faith comes from an encounter and
not from a duty, when authentic experiences and credible witnesses open up
freedom. How to bring back the “good wine” in a distracted world, the need
for an empathetic gaze, capable of entering reality without judging, was emphasized. Regarding
the strenna methodology, it was clarified that it is not about techniques, but
about processes that arise from being rooted in Christ. To the
question of distance from young people, the answer was the creation of credible
environments where questions can emerge. On how to go beyond first
impressions, it emerged that authentic communities open paths, while the fears
of adults risk blocking processes.
On the question of accompaniment, Mary was pointed to as a model of discreet and trusting presence. On the “new wine” for Salesian Cooperators, there was a call to return to Don Bosco’s original vision and to the co-responsibility of the laity. With regard to technological distraction, it was stated that this is a global challenge to be addressed with humanizing relationships. On the role of the servants in the story of the wedding at Cana, it was highlighted that they are not mere executors, but people entrusted with a responsibility: they listen to the word of Jesus, they trust, they take risks, and they become an active part of the miracle, an image of a Salesian Family called to serve with freedom, co-responsibility, and trust in God’s action. Finally, on the witness of faith, it was recalled that the Holy Spirit converts and that believers are asked to sow with fidelity and joy.
At the
end of the dialog, Mother Chiara Cazzuola offered a concluding message. She
expressed her heartfelt thanks to the rector major for the spiritual depth and richness
of content of Strenna 2026, emphasizing how it represents a timely
and prophetic call to live a faith rooted in Christ, capable of
generating authentic freedom and joyful service, in full fidelity to Don
Bosco’s charism. As a symbolic gesture of gratitude, the mother general offered
a significant gift to the rector major: an icon of the Good Shepherd, a
sign of communion, entrustment, and shared pastoral responsibility.
The
evening ended with the singing of the Magnificat, in an atmosphere of
gratitude, communion, and renewed commitment, entrusting the Salesian Family
throughout the world with Strenna 2026 as a spiritual and pastoral
compass for the coming year.
