The program of the 2023 World Advisory Council consists of a pilgrimage to Salesian Places, accompanied by reflection on the characterizing elements of Salesian spirituality and mission - both those already fully developed and those to be strengthened and further enhanced - present in the different specific charisms of each group.
At the operational level, the activities will begin on the afternoon of Friday, May 19, with the introductory Eucharist presided over by the Rector Major and Father and SF Unity Center, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime. The first session will then include a time for the presentation of all participants and a space for communication through small group meetings. Animated by the Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, the evening will be under the banner of spirituality with the communal recitation of the Novena to Mary Help of Christians and the Rosary, and a time of Eucharistic Adoration.
On Saturday, May 20, members of the Council will in an in-depth manner, and with expert guides, visit the communities of Colle Don Bosco, the place of the childhood of the Saint of Youth, and Chieri, the place of Don Bosco's formation. Before returning to the base in Valdocco, a final time of sharing and further study is planned at the community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), by Fr. Michal Vojtáš, Vice-Rector of the Salesian Pontifical University. In the evening, there will still be time for a Marian event at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.
Sunday, May 21, will be spent entirely in Valdocco, but always in an atmosphere of spiritual pilgrimage: after the morning Mass, the first stop will be the Casa Don Bosco Museum in a special visit dedicated to researching the supporting elements of the roots of the charism; the visit will be followed by a sharing by groups, aimed at outlining Don Bosco's charismatic experience in Valdocco and its prophetic value for this day of the Church and the world. In the afternoon, the pilgrimage inside Valdocco will proceed with a visit to the church of St. Francis de Sales and the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, and a new time of sharing and discussion, again coordinated by Fr. Vojtáš. Novena, Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration will close this third day.
Monday 22 will be spent in the discovery of Salesian spirituality for women, in the footsteps of Mother Mazzarello, between Mornese, her birthplace, and Nizza Monferrato, the seat of the FMA Motherhouse and Generalate House until 1929. The triple face of mother, spiritual guide as well as an educator of the holy co-founder of the FMA will be the subject of as many in-depth sessions starting from the premises experienced by "Maín" in those two towns, thanks to the guidance of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Mother General of the FMA, Sister Maria Vanda, Director of Mornese, and Sister Piera Cavaglià, Professor Emeritus of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences. After Mass, presided over by the Rector Major, they will return to Valdocco.
On the last day, Tuesday, May 23, there will be some final work in small groups; this shall be followed by a joint summary of what has been lived and understood, the sharing of various communiques and programs of the various groups, and also a moment to gather proposals regarding the theme for the Rector Major's Strenna for 2024.
