The keynote speaker at this meeting was Fr Michal Vojtáš, renowned professor of Salesian History and Pedagogy at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome. He shared his extensive knowledge on various key aspects of Salesian education in today's context.
Saturday morning began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Superior of the Saint James the Greater Province, Spain (SSM) based in Madrid, Fr Fernando García, who in his homily encouraged the formators to continue with determination in such a valuable task for the whole Congregation.
Then, in subsequent formation sessions, Fr Vojtas addressed three main themes. The first lecture focused on the evolution of the vocational theme in Salesian pedagogy, delving into the changes and challenges that have marked the understanding of the Salesian vocation over time.
In the second lecture, he dealt with the Preventive System for the 21st century, reflecting on its evolution, the reality of contemporary youth and the methodologies and practices that have proved effective in Salesian education today.
Finally, in his third intervention, Fr Vojtas presented the theme ‘Formation, Digital Environment and Interculturalism’, offering an interpretative framework that seeks to respond to the educational and formative challenges that arise in an increasingly globalised and digitalised world.
Each speech was followed by moments of dialogue and reflection, in which the trainers were able to share their experiences and perspectives, both in small groups and in a subsequent assembly sharing. This space for exchange helped to enrich common reflection and strengthen the commitment of the trainers in their educational and training work.
‘The meeting was a valuable opportunity to deepen the principles of the Salesian charism and to prepare trainers for the challenges that the formation of future Salesians entails in today's context,’ Fr Juan José Bartolomé, National Coordinator for Salesian Formation in Spain, said in conclusion.
