Participants came from the Provinces of Poland, Germany, Belgium North and the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Malta. The Groups represented were SDB, FMA, Salesian Cooperators (ASC), Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), Past Pupils of Don Bosco (ExDB) and Past Pupils of the FMA (ExFMA), Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB), Community of the Mission of Don Bosco (CMB) and the Contemplative Fraternity of Mary of Nazareth (FCMN).

"Walking together as a Salesian Family" was the guiding motto for the meeting, as in the other regions of the Congregation. The reflection on the situation of the Salesian Family in the Region, on the implemented have made it possible to indicate some challenges and specify some conclusions for directions to take in the coming years. These include:

–     Starting from the reality experienced by young people and their families, a reality contemplated with the eyes of God. Neither criticism nor nostalgia for times gone by. On the contrary, a proactive attitude that knows how to put into play our profound educational and evangelising charismatic identity.

–     Maintaining a close relationship of collaboration with those responsible for Youth Ministry in the different projects, in particular those ones in which the Groups of the Salesian Family can make a specific contribution such as, for example, accompaniment and vocational guidance.

–     Engaging in everything related to shared formation with the laity, in deepening  knowledge of the Salesian Family and the charismatic uniquenbessof the Groups that compose it, and in the formation of their members, in particular lay groups.

–     Giving new impetus to provincial and local consultative councils as tools for reflection and revitalisation of the Salesian Family locally, as well as to study a proposal for the more effective coordination of the Salesian Family of the Region, taking into account the cultural and religious features.

The meeting allowed ample space to share the identity and mission of the VDB, the FCMN and the CMB, which is preparing to start a mission in Ukraine.

The meeting was coordinated by Fr Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat for the Salesian Family, and was animated by the members of the Secretariat team: Bro. Dominic Nguyen, World Delegate for Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils; Sister Leslye Sandigo, General Councillor for the Salesian Family; and FMA Sister Lucrecia Uribe, World Delegate for Salesian Cooperators, and Sister Gabriela Patiño.

The set of reflections and communications, together with moments of prayer and family togetherness, led to a valuable experience of communion and spirituality among all the participants. These were days that nourished the service of animation and accompaniment to be carried out in an increasingly synodal way, days in which to breathe and live the precious gift of the Salesian Family that the Holy Spirit, through Don Bosco, has given to the Church for the benefit of young people and ordinary folk.

Much appreciated by all was the welcome by the Salesians from the Theologate in Krakow, and in particular by Fr Zygmunt Kostka, Vice-Provincial and Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, as well as the collaboration of Fr Janusz Zapala, Salesian at Salesian Headquarters.

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