This was an opportunity for dialogue and encounter. During the congress it was possible to "explore the different realities of today's young people, and also reflect on how to evangelically accompany such young people as pastors and educators."
The congress was opened by Fr Eduardo Lara, current Rector of the ISS, who welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the development of the ISS.
Then came the conference: "Don Bosco, evangeliser and educator of young people. The relevance of the Salesian charism in a change of era", given by the Rector Major Emeritus, Fr Pascual Chávez. At the end of this authoritative address, time for dialogue was opened and several speakers were able to share their themes and reflections.
In the course of the work, other valuable contributions were heard: "The Gospel preached to young people. The good news of Jesus for today's young people ", by Fr Juan José Bartolomé, SDB; "Young people and their worlds. What are today's young people like?” by Fr Agapito Francisco Espinoza, Delegate for Youth Ministry in MEG; in videoconference, "Evangelization and catechesis of young people today. Recovery of pastoral experience ", by Fr Sergio Codera; "Young people and the way they live the faith", by Dr. Paulina Weigend; and the 4 round tables that addressed topics such as the social contexts in which young people live, the digital world and their search for points of reference.
Among the activities of the congress were also the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the anniversary by Fr Chávez, Fr Filiberto González Plascencia, Provincial of MEG, Bishop Salvador Cleofás Murguía, Bishop of the Prelature of Mixes, and the Director of the ISS; the Eucharist of thanksgiving for the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Fr Chávez and other MEG Salesians; and a youth dialogue, held on 9 December, in which young university students belonging to different situations could be heard and where they expressed their opinion on how they would like to be accompanied.
The ISS arose and developed in MEG with the fervent desire to bring people together to give Salesian depth and specificity to theological studies. It is a work that seeks to qualify its students, consecrated and lay, so that they can offer a pastoral service imbued with the Salesian charism and quality to the most vulnerable young people.
It was opened on 8 December 1983, with the idea of providing a theological formation to the Salesians who were being formed at the time to become priests. The initiative started with Fr Chávez Villanueva, who at the time was the Rector of the work at Tlaquepaque, together with Fr José Luis Plasencia Moncayo and Fr Osvaldo Gorzegno.
In 1994, theology studies were affiliated with the faculty of theology at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. Then, on 3 October 2011, ISS obtained recognition of the official validity of theological studies as a degree from the Secretary of Education of the State of Jalisco.
Currently, theological and pastoral preparation is also offered to lay people and members of other religious families. The educational activities carried out include the teaching, research, dissemination and connection of theological knowledge that aims to contribute to the education of the faith in favour of the poorest young people, families and the working classes, with the establishment of various workshops, activities and open courses for pastoral workers.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/19796-mexico-theological-congress-for-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-salesian-higher-institute#sigProId22c3252553
