Towards the Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family 2025 • Istituto Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice
Turin (Italy). From January 16 to 19, 2025, the 43rd edition of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days (JEFS) will take place in Valdocco, Turin, the traditional meeting that aims to revive Salesian Spirituality in its fundamental dimensions, in a spirit of communion with the Salesian Family Groups.
The Conference will be attended by the Vicar General of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, who will present the 2025 Strenna entitled: «Anchored in hope, pilgrims with the young», focused on the celebration of the Jubilee and the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition of the Salesians of Don Bosco (1875 – 2025).
The spirituality of the pilgrimage will set the basic rhythm of the Days, in which some 300 representatives of the 32 Groups of the Salesian Family from around the world are expected to participate, including thirty Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, with the General Councilor for the Salesian Family, Sister Leslie Sandigo, and the collaborators of the Area.
in the programIn addition to the sessions in depth of the Strenna and the celebrations in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, a visit to the charismatic places of Valdocco and a pilgrimage to the Turin Cathedralwhere the Shroud and the remains of the young man are preserved Pier Giorgio Frassatiwhose canonization was announced by Pope Francis for the next Youth Jubilee, from July 28 to August 3, 2025. During the city tour, significant places in Salesian history will also be visited.
The Conference will also be marked by reflections on attitudes that help ignite missionary passion and spread it among young people: welcome, communication and listening, prayer and adoration, availability and courage,… In this spirit, a round table “Listening” will be held to young people” with the young people participating in the Youth Synod of the Salesian Youth Movement.
To address the reinforcement of the missionary dimension, there will be the experience of Cardinal Cristóbal López, archbishop of Rabat (Morocco) and the workshops on the mission in some countries dreamed of by Don Bosco, with several testimonies, also from Ecuador, about the Blessed Maria Troncattiwhose canonization is near.
In addition to in-person participation, several moments of the Conference will be broadcast live streaming in it ANS YouTube Channel, to give the opportunity to demonstrate charismatic communion to the various Salesian presences in the world.
The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, together with the Salesians of Don Bosco, are pleased to offer this formative moment to strengthen the bond that unites the members of the Salesian Family in a “missionary communion”. The various groups are called to live the gift of communion that comes from God, carrying out the common and differentiated evangelical service, according to the specific recipients, the particular objectives and the different styles.
To ensure unity of spirit and convergence in mission, these moments of common formation are, therefore, necessary, especially when it comes to highlighting or deepening essential aspects of the charism or sharing a common project. All this always with respect for legitimate autonomy, but also in the family spirit that expresses and strengthens unity.
The Area for the Salesian Family of the FMA Institute offers its collaboration in the organization of these Conferences, together with the Secretariat of the Salesian Family, making operational what is indicated in the Charter of Identity of the Salesian Family (art. 39): “thinking together, praying together, planning together, serve to guarantee unity of spirit and convergence in the mission.”
