Slovenia – “Forum Salesiano”: giving young people a second chance

25 July 2024
Slovenia – “Forum Salesiano”: giving young people a second chance

(ANS – Bled) – Fifty-six years ago, the “Colloqui Salesiani” was held for the first time in Lyon, France. During a meeting of those responsible for forming the young Salesians in France and Belgium a year earlier, the question arose whether such a gathering could not be held on a large scale, on a European level, reflecting openly and critically on the Salesian heritage. It should be a meeting where Salesians, later also the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, lay collaborators and Salesian cooperators, reflected on the pedagogical, historical and spiritual theological legacy of Don Bosco. Since the meeting in 1968, many contemporary themes of Salesian pedagogy and spirituality have been studied.

Until today, the “Colloqui” are organised every two years under the name “Forum Salesiano”. People from various European countries come together for a few days to reflect on the legacy of Don Bosco and Maria Mazzarello, which is linked to a particular theme. The Forum is in Bled (Slovenia) this year from 20 to 23 August. The theme chosen is “giving a second chance”.

The boys Don Bosco gathers around him are considered a threat to the social order in his time and are not allowed a second chance. Don Bosco goes against that trend. Through an integral education in the Oratorio of Valdocco, he contributes to their development and social integration.

This theme will be highlighted from different angles: the historical perspective (a second chance with Don Bosco and Maria Mazzarello), a second chance in education, a second chance for migrants in a new country, a second chance in love, a second chance in Bible stories... The working method at the “Forum” for a few years has been the same: first, there is the input of a speaker, followed by a moment exchange among Forum participants, taking into consideration their own experience on this theme.

The Salesian Forum is open to scholars in the field of education, pastoral care, spirituality, and history, to SDB, FMA, lay people, members of the Salesian Family and all those who are directly involved in the education of the young and are interested in a deeper understanding of young people which is so vital to the Salesian mission.

More info on the Forum, speakers, application and venue can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/forumsalesianoitaliano.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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