The objectives of this Salesian Forum are:

• Salesian formation of participants;
• the promotion of dialogue and collaboration between scholars in Europe who reflect on the Salesian tradition;
• the progress of systematic reflection - between academic scholars and people working in the field - on all aspects of the Salesian tradition (education, Youth Ministry, spirituality);
• the contribution to a coherent updating of the Salesian pastoral and pedagogical system;
• the dissemination of the results of reflection and studies;
• the promotion of dialogue between male and female Salesian tradition and reflection.

To achieve these goals, every two years the Salesian Forum organises three days of meeting, study and exchange around a topical Salesian theme. This year it will be: "A second chance".

To understand the theme, it is necessary to retrace a moment in the life of Don Bosco, that is, when, following Fr Cafasso, he was introduced to the prisons of Turin: an experience that deeply shocked him.

"I saw a large number of young people between the ages of twelve and eighteen," Don Bosco wrote, "who were intelligent, healthy, strong and mentally sane. It was heartbreaking to see them languish here, with a complete lack of nourishment for both their bodies and their souls. I was stunned. What struck me the most is that many of them ended up back in prison in a very short time after being released full of good intentions."

Don Bosco realises that these young people cannot escape a downward spiral if no one takes care of them and offers them a second chance. He approaches the boys in the streets and squares where they meet, invites them to the courtyard next to the sacristy of the church of Francis of Assisi. In addition to catechesis, he gives lessons to those interested, gives them food and is an animator of games and entertainment. During the week he visits them in the workplaces or on the construction sites where they work. The boys that Don Bosco gathers around him are considered a threat to the social order of his time and are not given the chance to have a second chance. Don Bosco goes against this trend. Through an integral education in the Oratory of Valdocco, he contributes to their development and social integration.

Today's society expects people to be immediately successful. Seizing a new opportunity or trying again seems out of the question. Can we, then, still fail? Who gives young people a second chance? How to reintegrate former inmates into society? How to ensure that as few young people as possible leave school without a certificate? How can we get out of the poverty spiral? What must be done so that refugees can develop a dignified existence in our society? With Don Bosco in mind, the Salesian Forum aims to think of feasible initiatives to give people new opportunities.

During the days, experts from different Salesian study centers will speak, such as Fr Wim Collin, Sister Piera Ruffinatto, Fr Antoine Farrugia, Sister Magna Martinez, Carina Baumgartner, Johannes Haas and Fr David Tulimelli.

In addition to the speakers, during the days there will be times for reflection and moments of mutual exchange between participants. The Salesian Forum is open to scholars and those responsible for formation in the field of pedagogy, pastoral care, spirituality, history, to Salesians, FMA, lay people, members of the Salesian Family and to all those who work directly in the education of young people and are interested in exploring issues vital to the Salesian mission.

Registrations can be made through this website, or by writing to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More information is available in the poster at the bottom of the page.

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