The reflection began with a retreat on 17 September, followed by the start of work the following day, 18 September. The Commission was organised into three language groups: French-Portuguese, Italian-Spanish and English. Each group worked on three levels: listening and personal reflection, sharing within the small group and synthesis in the plenary assembly.
The secretaries of the three subgroups – Fr Jefferson Luis, Fr Fidel Maria Orendain and Fr Fernando García Sánchez – were coordinated by Fr Patrick Anthonyraj Alexander, member of the Technical Commission, while the Moderator supervised the procedures and timing, ensuring a careful listening of the entire Commission to allow for any adjustments.
Below is the explanatory document, written by Father Alphonse Owoudou, GC29 Moderator.
Methodology and main areas of discussion
By devoting around two or three days to each core area, our work was facilitated by the juridical items prepared by the Juridical Commission, which had already classified the proposals related to the structure and functioning of the service of authority in our Congregation. However, during the first days of work we understood the need to adapt the methodology, preferring an initial discussion over shared listening, which allowed the proposals to be interpreted more coherently .
Through this listening, the Provinces revealed not only the many best practices already in place, but also some weaknesses. In this context, the Drafting Committee suggested that the material be organised differently from the GC28, with the aim of facilitating both the drafting itself and and how it is interpreted by Chapter members. We will therefore have a document where each of the 18 points which make up the three core areas, is now developed with its phase of listening, interpretation and choices. This arrangement allows a synoptic and fluid reading of the three steps for each theme.
The Working Document
The drafting of the final document was entrusted to Fr Francesco Marcoccio, member of the Technical Commission, assisted by Fr Stefano Vanoli and Fr Luca Barone who had already served in the GC28 as Moderator and member of the secretariat respectively. Their experience proved particularly useful at this stage. The text, drawn up by several hands, has allowed a constant dialogue with the Pre-Chapter Commission. The document will be translated and made available to all Chapter members by the end of October. During the Chapter, all the material from the Chapters,those sent in by groups and those from individuals will all be available in shared folders.
The Pilgrimage to Subiaco
After three days of intense work, on 22 September we experienced a particularly significant moment: the visit to Subiaco, the birthplace of consecrated life in Europe. The monasteries of Santa Scolastica and Sacro Speco offered us a spiritual context deeply rooted in the Benedictine motto Ora et Labora. This motto, which also inspired Don Bosco, marked the development of Salesian philosophy on work and prayer, and is reflected today in the "grace of unity" of Salesian life, which sees the Salesian as a contemplative in action. This pilgrimage offered us a time of prayer and reflection, culminating in a Eucharistic celebration with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in San Biagio.
Conclusions and Thanks
We conclude this journey with gratitude. Thank you Card. Ángel Fernández Artime for the trust you have placed in us, the Juridical Commission for its work in compiling the forms to facilitate discernment and juridical decisions, and Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, for his attention and the encouragement guaranteed to the Commission. Since 23 September 2023, we have been on our way to the General Chapter, which will be celebrated in a context of great significance: continuing in the atmosphere of the 200th anniversary of the Dream at Nine Yeras of Age that will continue to give us the courage to dream, and the 2025 Jubilee which the Holy Father has placed under the sign of Hope. We hope that our discernment and commitment can bear abundant fruit for the glory of God and for the salvation of young people, and we entrust this work to Mary Help of Christians, certain that she will be able to intercede so that our efforts translate into listening to her Son and fulfilling his will.
