The Second World War, with all the upheavals it entailed and the new balances that were created at its end, with many countries now in the hands of regimes openly hostile to the Church; the youth protests and social transformations of the 1960s; the Second Vatican Council... This is the background against which the Salesians had to act in the period under consideration. There were not a few challenges, therefore, for the Salesians who were regularly called, through the General Chapters, to discern how to direct the Congregation's path in that period.
GC15 was convened in 1938, after many Superiors and Salesians from all over the world had already come to Italy in 1934 for the canonisation of Fr Bosco; it focused particularly on formation issuess and, considering the growth and development of the Congregation, saw an increase in General Councillors from 3 to 5.
The next Chapter, planned in theory for 1944, could only take place in 1947 because of the Second World War. The post-war theatre inevitably influenced the theme and the decisions to be taken, to give concrete answers to the young people left to themselves and out on the streets, to those in need of everything, to the Salesians who had been isolated for a long time...
Fr Renato Ziggiotti was elected as the 5th Successor of Fr Bosco at GC17, after the death of Fr RicalFre in November 1951. The Chapter, which saw the Chapter members return to the Valdocco site, was held in the summer so that the school premises otherwise used for lessons could also be used. From various Salesian provinces in Eastern Europe, only a few exceptional delegates were able to attend, since the Provincials and delegates in charge were forbidden to participate by their respective regimes.
GC18, also held in the summer at Valdocco, explored issues such as religious observance and the Salesian apostolate in its traditional forms, but also the application of Pius XII's Apostolic Constitution Sedes Sapientiae on religious, clerical and apostolic formation and the veneration to be paid to Dominic Savio, now recognised as a saint (1954).
The 19th GC was important for many reasons: it was the first to be held in Rome (at the new facilities of the Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum), opening something that would mark the next eight Chapters; it was the longest ever held (51 days); it took place with the Vatican Council still in progress; and taking its cue from the work of renewal, it served to redefine the figure of the Salesian ‘as he must be’. Precisely because of this impetus for change, it was also the first in which a new Rector Major was elected with the previous one still living: Fr Ziggiotti asked not to be re-elected so that others could set out on the new path, and Fr Luigi Ricceri was chosen in his place.
The next Chapter, the 20th, was the ‘Extraordinary’ one, made necessary to assimilate the Council's novelties in depth. It was the longest ever (almost 7 months, straddling two years), it took place in Rome, but in the new General House in Via della Pisana, and led to the approval of the new Constitutions, new Regulations and new pastoral and operational doctrinal ‘Orientations’.
Finally, the ordinary GC21 was the one that saw the election of Fr Egidio Viganò, who remained in office for almost three terms. In this Chapter, celebrated on the centenary of GCI (1877) they sought to return to the Fr Bosco of the origins, with the aim of becoming specialised evangelisers of the young; living as authentic religious in mission; taking care of ongoing formation. The jewel in the crown of this Chapter was the launch of Project Africa, vigorously promoted by the newly elected Fr Viganò.
The following is a summary of these 7 General Chapters of the Salesians of Fr Bosco (1938-1977), indicating the original structure with details of the President (Rector Major), Moderator members, place, duration, key themes and particular notes or significant developments.
15. GC XV (1938) - Salesian Formation
- Location: Turin, Rebaudengo
- Duration: 15 days (23 June - 7 July 1938)
- President: Fr Peter Ricaldone
- Moderator: Fr Renato Ziggiotti
- Members: 105 Chapter members
- Themes: The formation of Salesian personnel (houses for aspirants, novitiates, philosophical and theological studentates).
- Notes and significant developments: Increase in the number of Superior Councillors from 3 to 5.
16. GC XVI (1947) - Post-war Renewal
- Location: Turin, Valsalice
- Duration: 19 days (24 August - 11 September 1947)
- President: Fr Peter Ricaldone
- Moderator: Fr Renato Ziggiotti
- Members: 110 Chapter members (out of 112 invited)
- Themes: Adapt Salesian activities to the needs of post-war reconstruction.
- Notes and significant developments: Adoption of the acronym ‘SDB’ as the official acronym of the Congregation.
17. GC XVII (1952) - Vocations and Missions
- Place: Turin, Valdocco
- Duration: 15 days (31 July - 14 August 1952)
- President: Fr Renato Ziggiotti
- Moderator: Fr Secondo Manione
- Members: 114 Chapter members
- Themes: Development of vocational schools, missions and formation houses.
- Notes and significant developments: Election of Fr Renato Ziggiotti as 5th Successor of Fr Bosco.
18. GC XVIII (1958) - Religious Discipline and Apostolate
- Place: Turin, Valdocco
- Duration: 14 days (27 July - 9 August 1958)
- President: Fr Renato Ziggiotti
- Moderator: Fr Albino Fedrigotti
- Members: 119 Chapter members (out of 128 invited)
- Themes: Religious observance, application of the Constitution Sedes Sapientiae, parishes and oratories.
- Notes and significant developments: Reflection on the Salesian apostolate in parishes and schools.
19. GC XIX (1965) - Adaptation to the Second Vatican Council
- Place: Rome, P.A.S.
- Duration: 53 days (19 April - 10 June 1965)
- President: Fr Renato Ziggiotti (until his resignation) and Fr Luigi Ricceri
- Moderator: Fr Archimedes Pianazzi
- Members: 151 Chapter members, 19 experts, 8 auditors
- Themes: Renewal in line with the Second Vatican Council and reflection on the figure of the Salesian.
- Notes and significant developments: First GC celebrated in Rome; Fr Ziggiotti resigned, and Fr Ricceri was elected Rector Major.
20. CGS XX (1971-72) - Special Chapter of Renewal
- Place: Rome, Pisana
- Duration: 210 days (10 June 1971 - 5 January 1972)
- President: Fr Luigi Ricceri
- Moderator: Fr Gaetano Scrivo
- Members: 202 Chapter members, 12 observers, 4 experts
- Themes: Renewal of the Salesian Society (nature, consecrated life, formation, governance structures).
- Notes and significant developments: Approval of the Constitutions ad experimentum; longest chapter in the history of the Congregation.
21. GC XXI (1977) - Evangelisation and Mission
- Location: Rome, Pisana
- Duration: 105 days (31 October 1977 - 12 February 1978)
- President: Fr Luigi Ricceri (until his resignation) and Fr Egidio Viganò
- Moderator: Fr Raffaele Farina
- Members: 184 Chapter members, 10 observers, 7 secretaries, 8 translators
- Themes: Evangelising and witnessing to the Gospel among the young.
- Notes and significant developments: Election of Fr Egidio Viganò as Rector Major and launch of Project Africa.
