From a strictly juridical point of view, the GC is above all the body that has legislative authority over the entire Salesian Congregation, and not only because it elects the Rector Major, but above all because it can establish laws for all the confreres or modify them, as long as they conform to the spirit of the Constitutions.
The one that will open next Sunday, 16 February 2025, in Turin, will be the 29th GC for the Salesians of Don Bosco; the previous 28 have brought the Pious Society of St Francis de Sales to where it is today, starting from the origins imprinted by the Founder, Don Bosco, and passing through numerous changes made necessary by the passage of time and the changes that have taken place in society, in the Church and in the Congregation itself.
Even the General Chapters have changed and evolved, reflecting the transformations that have taken place in recent decades at all levels. But if there is a common trait along these almost 150 years of the GC it can be found in the great capacity to maintain the high profile of the origins and at the same time to inculturate, to grasp the signs of the times and the calls of history and the concrete realities where the Sons of Don Bosco have radiated to serve God, the Church and the young. The dialectic between fidelity and innovation, in short, has precisely in the General Chapters a place of implementation and documented feedback.
In order not to lose the memory of what has been done, the Salesian iNfo Agency, in view of GC29, seeks to retrace the journey, recovering the most significant information and data of each Chapter.
Today it illustrates the first seven GCs, which were still carried out in a not entirely determined style, and the first four with Don Bosco still living. Except for the first, which was longer for obvious structural reasons, they were all very short (from four to 13 days), although the number of participants, though limited, can already be seen growing in perspective. In this debut phase for the Congregation, great attention was paid to the internal structuring and regulation of what was done in apostolic activities.
Here is a summary of the first 7 General Chapters of Don Bosco's Salesians (1877-1895), showing the original structure with details of the President (Rector Major), Moderator, Chapter Members, Location, Duration, Key Themes, and Significant Developments.
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1. GC I (1877): Consolidation of the Congregation
- Place: Lanzo, Turin
- Duration: 31 days (5 September - 5 October 1877)
- President: Fr John Bosco
- Moderator: Fr Michael Rua
- Members: 23 Chapter members, 4 Consultants, 2 guests
- Topics: Practical application of the Constitutions in community life, morality, economy, and the establishment of the provinces
- Significant notes and developments: Formation of 8 commissions to address specific areas such as studies, economics and cooperators.
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2. GC2 (1880) - Revision and Completion of GC1
- Location: Lanzo, Turin
- Duration: 13 days (3-15 September 1880)
- President: Fr John Bosco
- Moderator: Not specified
- Members: 27 Chapter members
- Topics: Revision of the deliberations of GC 1, election of the members of the Superior Chapter (excluding Don Bosco, Rector Major for life).
- Significant notes and developments: Limited documentation, focus on improving rules and internal governance.
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3. GC3 (1883) - Various Regulations
- Location: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 7 days (1-7 September 1883)
- President: Fr John Bosco
- Moderator: Fr John Bonetti
- Members: 35 Chapter members
- Topics: Regulations for retreats, studies of aspirants, parish missions, Salesian Bulletin and Salesian Cooperators.
- Significant notes and developments: Proposal for a separate novitiate for Brothers.
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4. GC4 (1886) - Organisational Structure
- Location: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 7 days (1-7 September 1886)
- President: Fr John Bosco
- Moderator: Fr Francesco Cerruti
- Members: 37 Chapter members
- Theme: Regulations for parishes, artisans, novitiates and application of the decree of Pius IX.
- Significant notes and developments: it was the last GC with Don Bosco still living.
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5. GC5 (1889) - Formation and Mission
- Place: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 6 days (2-7 September 1889)
- President: Fr Michael Rua
- Moderator: Fr Celestino Durando
- Members: 42 Chapter members, 4 Consultors
- Topics: Theological and philosophical studies, novitiates and exemptions for military service.
- Significant notes and developments: First GC after Don Bosco's death, led by Fr Rua.
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6. GC6 (1892) - Consolidation and Growth
- Place: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 9 days (29 August - 6 September 1892)
- President: Fr Michael Rua
- Moderator: Fr Francesco Cerruti
- Members: 69 Chapter members
- Topics: Codification of previous deliberations and spiritual/professional development of the members.
- Significant notes and developments: Simplification of Salesian regulations.
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7. GC7 (1895) - Internal Government
- Venue: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 4 days (4-7 September 1895)
- President: Fr Michael Rua
- Moderator: Fr Francesco Cerruti
- Members: 93 Chapter members
- Topics: internal government, obedience, poverty, economy, Salesian Cooperators and devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
- Significant notes and developments: Strengthening of regulations for Salesian communities.
