Convened by the World President of the Confederation, Bryan Magro, the participants during the World Assembly, will try to discern the will of God, guided by the Holy Spirit and in a spirit of fraternity and synodality, in order to offer a better service to families, the Church, the Congregation, the Movement and the Association.
The programme of activities includes, for the first day, 2 October, the reception and official registration of the participants from morning to early afternoon, and then, in the evening, the official start of work, with the opening prayer, presentation of those who make up the World Presidency and the welcome addresses by the World President, the Central Delegate for the Salesian Family Secretariat, Fr Joan Lluís Playà, and by the World Delegate for the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Br Dominic Dun Nam Nguyen.
Thursday 3 October will focus on "celebrating the past", also considering the fact that the World Assembly has among its specific purposes the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the association, which could not be celebrated as it should due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The activities nclude a message from the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, the central address of the morning by Fr Rossano Sala, Editorial Director of the Salesian publisher Elledici , on the "Synodality of Walking Together", the Community Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, and different times for discussion and debate in small groups – with the possibility of participation remotely – both to discuss the issue of synodality and to discuss proposals for amendments and modifications to the Statutes of the World Confederation. In the evening there is also a walk in the footsteps of Carlo Gastini, initiator of the vast movement of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.
Friday the 4th will focus on "Sharing the present, for inspiration". After a moment of discussion on what was agreed on the previous day, the morning will include guided tours to discover the places of Don Bosco in Valdocco and more generally in Turin. After Mass, in the afternoon they will resume discussions on amendments and resolutions of the Assembly – including the possibility of digital connection; then the institutional photo will be taken and a bas-relief dedicated to Carlo Gastini will be unveiledin the presence of Fr Martoglio. The day will end with an intercultural evening.
On Saturday 5 October, on the day dedicated to "Dreaming of the future where Don Bosco dreamed", the delegates of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco will go on a spiritual pilgrimage to Chieri and Colle Don Bosco, visiting the places related to childhood, growth and growth to maturity of the Saint of the Young. Mass on this day will be celebrated at the Minor Basilica at Colle Don Bosco.
On the final day, Sunday 6 October, marked by the motto "Shaping the future", items will be drawn from the work over the previous days: regional meetings will be held to outline the national and regional operational priorities for the next three years and the suggested amendments and proposals for resolutions of the World Assembly will be voted on.
"The theme chosen for the World Assembly highlights the fundamental values and principles that guided Don Bosco in affirming Salesian spirituality and mission with young people" the World Presidency said in view of the Assembly. "By participating in this event, you will engage in a significant reflection and discernment on the development of the Past Pupils. Together, we will modify our Statutes to better respond to the needs and challenges of the 21st century."
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