According to Article 135 of the Salesian Constitutions, “the General Councilor for Formation is responsible for promoting the integral and ongoing formation of the members. He follows with particular care the initial formation in its various phases, ensuring that the content, study structure, formation methods, and facilities provide the necessary conditions for the growth of the Salesian vocation.”
This is the responsibility now entrusted to Fr. Silvio Roggia, an Italian Salesian originally from Piedmont, like Don Bosco. He was born on July 4, 1963, in Novello, Province of Cuneo, within the Diocese of Alba.
He entered the Pinerolo-Monteoliveto novitiate in 1982 and made his first religious profession on September 8, 1983, later professing perpetual vows on May 5, 1989, in Turin.
After serving for several years in Salesian houses within his Province, he embarked on a missionary journey, dedicating himself to the service of poor youth in English-speaking West Africa (AFW). He worked as Novice Master first in Ondo, Nigeria (1999–2005) and later in Sunyani, Ghana (2005–2012).
In total, he spent nearly 20 years in Africa, from 1997 to 2016, also serving as Provincial Delegate for Formation (2013–2016) and Vicar (2010–2016) for the AFW Province.
He was later called to Rome, where from 2016 to 2022, he collaborated with his predecessor, Fr. Ivo Coelho, in the Formation Sector. During this period, he personally coordinated an extensive international research study involving over 4,000 Salesians—3,500 young members and 500 guides and formators—to deepen understanding of initial formation experiences and Salesian accompaniment in the field.
Since 2022, he has served as the Rector of the international Salesian community of theology students, “Zeffirino Namuncurá”, located in Rome, Via della Bufalotta, and as a Councilor of the “Maria Sede della Sapienza” Vice-Province at the Salesian Pontifical University.
