(ANS – Turin) – Today afternoon, Thursday, January 16, 2025, the XLIII Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family begin. After weeks of preparation, more than three hundred and sixty people gathered under the aegis of the great charismatic tree originated by Don Bosco are at the cradle of the Salesian charism to share moments of formation, reflection and fraternity, gathering around the vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, to discern together the path to be taken in this jubilee year, under the motto of Strenna 2025: “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with the young.”
In the spaces of Valdocco, where hundreds of participants are gathering, there is, as always, enthusiasm and joy, but also the determination and awareness of being about to share something beautiful and important. The official languages of the event are five – Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese – but many more are heard, since in this Salesian Pentecost that is about to begin, some forty-five nations and more than twenty groups of people are represented. the Salesian Family.
This is stated by Father Juan Lluís Playà, SDB, central delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the Salesian Family:
“It is with great joy that I hope to meet all the participants of the various groups of the Salesian Family. We have prepared a beautiful program. This year, the days will be a little different from previous years, since we are in the jubilee year and the theme of pilgrimage will be reflected in the program. The testimonies that will be shared in these days will be of unique richness and will represent a source of nourishment for the entire Salesian Family.”
“I hope from these days a beautiful family gathering, where we form and grow together,” comments Sister Marta Nemeth, HMA, from Croatia. I hope to return home renewed and more rooted in spirituality. “I look forward with enthusiasm to the enrichment of the Aguinaldo, to collect resources for the entire year.”
Sister Anna Matevi Salouni, of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, India, adds: “I hope to discover how the Salesian Family, through its spirituality, can face current challenges and how we can be pilgrims of hope in this jubilee year.”
For his part, Bryan Magro, president of the World Confederation of Don Bosco Past Pupils, declares: “This annual meeting constitutes for me an occasion of great enrichment and renewal in Salesian spirituality. I have the opportunity to listen to and meet other members of the Salesian Family, and to learn new methods and strategies to strengthen links and initiatives in the world of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. These days offer me guidance to understand and carry out the Strenna among the Alumni.”
Fulbert Ngoy Mwanabute, of the Salesian Cooperators of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shares: “I hope to experience moments of deep spirituality and sharing. It will be a great enrichment to participate in these days in Valdocco, the source of Salesian spirituality, and to know the places of Don Bosco. I hope to receive inspiration for my work with young people and enrich my Salesian mission. I believe I will return home with new ideas and valuable experiences.”
Finally, Alejandra Orduna, Salesian Cooperator from Guadalajara, in Mexico, concludes: “I came to these Conferences to have a live encounter and update myself in Salesian spirituality and in my vocation as a Salesian Cooperator. Meeting other Salesian Cooperators from different parts of the world and experiencing these Days together will be a great grace for me. Furthermore, the reflections and exchanges on this year’s Strenna will also help me to concretely organize the other activities for the Salesian mission in Guadalajara.”
