During the two meetings, numerous topics concerning the different activities of the ISS were analysed, starting with the renewal of the Convention of the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) with Salesian Headquarters, the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Vice-Province and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). Seven years after the transfer of the ISS to the premises of the UPS university campus, some points have been redefined. This decision has been integrated with the "Protocol of Intent", a document that defines the active collaboration, already underway at various levels (cultural, information, technological, logistical), between the individual institutions operating on campus, in full respect of the legitimate statutory autonomy.
The "Report to the 29th General Chapter" was also presented to the Assembly, prepared by the Permanent Members of the ISS for the period 2020-2024/5 and requested by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio. The purpose and activities of the ISS are listed, provided for by the Statutes, and the related areas of activity: problem areas in the ISS; commitments of the ISS; publication of volumes; organisation of conferences; presentation of the volumes of the ISS and ACSSA and of the exhibition on Fr Alberto Maria De Agostini; the biannual publication of the "Ricerche Storiche Salesiane" journal; updating of the website; ISS-ACSSA collaboration; publications published on behalf of ACSSA; organisation of the five Continental Seminars of ACSSA, to be held in 2025, and of the International Conference set for 2027; objectives to be achieved; and, finally, thanks to the General Council of the Congregation for the continuous economic, spiritual and moral support.
Information was then provided about the meeting with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime at Salesian Headquarters on 26 July 2024, during which thanks were expressed to the Rector Major for the continuous and attentive care shown the ISS. The letter of the Permanent Members sent to the Rector Major, and his communication sent to the Superior of the Vice-Province and to the Rector of the UPS regarding the environments for the ISS to be organised and finalised were also illustrated.
Various information has been provided on the recent interventions carried out for the iss-acssa.org website, whose management has been transferred from Brazil to Italy. There was also an invitation to reflect on the budget for the year 2025, and an invitation was made to identify the new coordination secretary.
Some information related to preparations for the International Conference to be organised by the ISS, and which will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian Missionary Expedition. This will be held in Rome - UPS on 2-3 May 2025.
The meeting continued with planning for the presentation of several volumes of the ISS:
- Giovanni Bosco, Predicazione. Critical edition by Aldo Giraudo and Massimo Schwarzel. (= ISS – Fonti, Prima Series, 18). Rome, LAS 2024, scheduled for 22 November 2024, in Rome-UPS;
- Giovanni Bosco, Epistolario. Introduction, critical texts and notes by Francesco Motto. Tenth volume (1887-1888), lett. 4425-4682. (= ISS – Fonti, Prima Series, 18). Rome, LAS 2024, scheduled on 28 January 2025 in Rome-UPS and on 2 April 2025 in Turin in the State Archives.
The programming also concerned the presentation of other volumes:
- Cinzia Angelucci and Stanisław Zimniak, Percorsi ragionati di historiografia per la storia salesiana (1971-2022) - Reasoned paths of historiography for Salesian History (1971-2022). (= ISS - Bibliografie, 5). Rome, 2024 (February/March 2025);
- Paolo Pieraccini, Salesiani in Terra Santa: dall’“Opera Don Belloni” al Mandato Britannico (1863-1920): questioni politico-diplomatiche e istituzionali, attività pastorale ed educativa, problemi d'identità nazionale. (= ISS - Studi, 35). Rome, 2024 - (to be scheduled);
- Hendry Selvaraj Dominic, The Formation of Indian Seminarians at Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Tamit Nadu – A Salesian Contribution (1935-1965). (= ISS – Studi, 36). Rome, 2024 - (to be scheduled);
Before concluding, the work schedule was verified for the three-year period 2024-2026; some editorial rules for the critical edition of Salesian sources were discussed; the situation of the "ISS-DB Library" was analysed; we discussed the organisation of the Five Continental Seminars organised by ACSSA, to be held in 2025, and the International Conference, scheduled for 2027.
For the "Ricerche Storiche Salesiane" journal, the presentation of indexes relating to the second half of 2024, to both the 2025 issues (which will have as their main topic the theme of the mission), and to those of 2026, anticipated the request for greater availability for the review of volumes and for the analysis of the bibliographic repertoire, aspects on which the editor-in-chief has requested the reporting of the publications to be included.
Fr Stanisław Zimniak,
ISS Coordination Secretary
