In the introductory greetings of the first day of work, addressing the 200 participants from the five continents, Bryan Magro said again: "We are here to celebrate, to dream, to walk together, embracing the spirit of synodality; to change, to continue the rich legacy of our Movement! The spirit is very Salesian... Connecting with our roots, discerning our reality today is uniting us and give us energy to look into to the future for more commitments to the mission with young people... Dreaming is only the first step. We must not be afraid to engage with the young people of today, not those of yesterday. It's time to refresh, revitalize, and re-engage in our communities. Dare to dream and strive to carry out projects that promote solidarity and support for young people. Change is a must.”
"This is where the Association was born, with Carlo Gastini and his companions, who year after year met Don Bosco on the feast of St John, his namesake. And in this same place, in 1911, the first International Congress was held with the urging of Blessed Philip Rinaldi, Third Successor of Don Bosco, who believed in you so much,", said Fr Joan Lluis Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family Secretariat, in his welcome speech. "In the Salesian Family it is enthusiastic people who open horizons for the future. Don Bosco was like Carlo Gastini, and how many past pupils around the world have been and continue to be. Enthusiasm brings us in touch with reality, awakens our capacity for analysis, reflection and creativity, and urges us to trust and transform.
"We must dare to be different, to point out ideals different from those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, perseverance, fidelity, the search for justice and the common good and love for the poor" said Br. Dominic Duc Nam Nguyen, SDB, World Delegate of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. "The option for the disadvantaged is always a priority. Don Bosco was able to read the sign of the time and dedicated his life to young people, ready to accept the consequences, the uncertainty that awaited him, but always maintaining great trust in Providence."
The first day ended with the welcome greetings and the accommodation of the participants in the Valdocco house.
On the second day, Thursday, 3 October after the prayer, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, in his greeting to the participants said, "The deep sense of being here in Valdocco is the great opportunity to renew our identity, to recognise and be grateful for the gift of Christian education that we have all received. Don Bosco's house renews in each of us the deep Christian and believing identity that has generated us in education. We carry within us the dream of Carlo Gastini, as Past Pupils: what you found in Don Bosco's house you must bring to everyone. It is necessary to make the educational heart that you have received present and alive by bringing the spirit of Don Bosco into the world, each with his own humanity, his own professionalism and the sense of the presence of God".
Immediately afterwards, Fr Rossano Sala, a professor at the Pontifical Salesian University, explained the theme of synodality through discernment and choices: "We are part of a group of people dependent on each other, entrusted to each other. Let's start again with renewed enthusiasm from the 'Valdocco Option'. It is also good to live together an extraordinary assembly like this, because it is a valuable opportunity to look at the past with gratitude, to live the present with intelligence and to project towards the future with courage and hope."
The participants in the assembly, in the group work that took place in the morning, then discussed the theme of synodality – and a part of the discussion was also dedicated to those who followed from home, through online discussion; while in the afternoon the discussion was held on the changes to be made to the Confederation's Statutes and the approximately 200 delegates present were also able to take part in the workshops focused on project management, on topics such as, for example, ways to integrate spirituality into daily life and those to empower young people through mentoring.
There was also a Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, at the end of which the participants had the opportunity to stop and pray in front of Don Bosco's casket where everything started.
