(ANS - Rome) - The Salesian Family, that vast movement of persons dedicated to the salvation of young people in the following of Don Bosco, is a living organism, which has taken on an increasingly central role in the consideration and apostolate of the Congregation. The Rector Major's reference to the Salesian Family in the closing address of the General Chapter, in this sense, is truly significant: “The Salesian Family, together with the reality of the mission shared with the laity, will be the point of arrival and the guarantee of the Salesian mission ... This is an essential charismatic element, much stronger today than in Don Bosco's time ... This is why I invite you to continue to believe in the Salesian Family.”

(ANS - Rome) - The 28th General Chapter confirmed Fr Ivo Coelho in his position as General Councilor for Formation, to which he was called in 2014. After six years of activity, he still has important objectives that he intends to pursue to promote the quality of formation of today's Salesians. Today he illustrates the path followed and the prospects for the future.

(ANS - Rome) – Released at the beginning of July was the video interview with the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Councilor for Formation, Fr Ivo Coelho, presenting the document “Animating and Governing the Community - The Ministry of the Salesian Rector.” On Thursday 24 September an interview with Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, and Fr Coelho will be available on the first of the three parts of the document entitled "The Salesian consecrated identity."

Rome, RMG - September 2020 - The online meeting of the Commission for Formation of the America South Cone Region takes place from 14 to 18 September. The event brings together the Provincial Delegates for Formation from 11 Salesian Provinces in the region. It is chaired by Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councilor for Formation, assisted by Fr Francisco Santos, of the same department, and by Fr Gabriel Romero, Councilor for the America South Cone Region. The Commission discussed various themes of the GC 28, the program guidelines of the Rector Major for the next six years, and suggestions regarding the revision of the Ratio and the Criteria and Norms for admission. Statistics on formation for 2020 and the importance of forming formators were also presented. The Regional Plan for Formation for the next six-year term was drawn up and the Provinces shared the strategies they are developing for the dissemination of materials on the Salesian Rector and on Salesian Personal Accompaniment. The last day is dedicated to information on the stages of formation shared between the Provinces on the Department for Formation and, above all, on the organization of the six-year calendar.

Rome, RMG - September 2020 - The annual meeting of the Youth Ministry Delegates of the Africa-Madagascar Region began on Monday 14 September. The appointment opened with a moment of prayer and words of welcome from Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, General Councilor for Youth Ministry. Participants were then divided into three groups to share operational tips, ideas and reflections. Yesterday, during the second day, they reflected on the importance of meeting today's young people and being open to new cultures. The meeting ends tomorrow, September 17th.

(ANS - RMG) - The XVI Regional Meeting of the "Salesian Social America" ​​Network took place online from 8 to 10 September. Initially planned as a face-to-face meeting to be held in Jarabacoa, in the Dominican Republic, the event saw 42 participants among Salesians and lay people - Delegates for Youth Ministry, Delegates for Social Works or Directors of Social Works - from the 14 Provinces of the Salesian region of Interamerica: Antilles, Bolivia, Central America, Chile, Colombia-Bogotá and Colombia-Medellín, Ecuador, United States East and Canada, United States West, Haiti, Mexico-México, Mexico-Guadalajara, Peru and Venezuela.