The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, together with the members of the General Chapter and more than 300 Salesians concelebrating the Mass. Joining this significant occasion were many Salesians from various communities in Rome, members of the FMA General Council, led by the Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, numerous Salesian Sisters from FMA communities, and several civil authorities, all gathered to celebrate the culmination of this pivotal moment in the life of the Salesian Congregation.

The celebration began with the vibrant youth choir singing the Litany of Saints, invoking their intercession for the Salesian Family and its mission. The main concelebrants made their way into the basilica in procession, pausing before the newly erected painting of Saint Artemide Zatti. In a deeply symbolic moment, Fr. Fabio Attard prayed and blessed the image.

At the beginning of the Mass, Fr. Fabio welcomed the assembly and reflected on the profound significance of concluding the General Chapter in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. He reminded the congregation that it was from this very place that Don Bosco wrote his famous Letter from Rome, a powerful document that reaffirmed the essence of the Salesian mission: to be present among young people and foster a family spirit. Fr. Fabio also recalled that it was in this symbolic place that Don Bosco realized the fulfilment of his dream at the age of nine, a vision that guided his life’s work for the salvation of young people.

In his homily, Fr. Fabio Attard offered a profound reflection on the Gospel of John, connecting the scripture to the mission of the Salesian Congregation and the challenges of today’s world. He began by situating the day’s Gospel reading in the context of Holy Week, which celebrates the culmination of Jesus’ mission through His death and resurrection.

The Gospel passage described the Sanhedrin deliberating on Jesus’ fate, with the high priest Caiaphas declaring: “It is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed” (John 11:50). These words, originally spoken as a political calculation, unwittingly became a prophetic declaration of the redemptive power of Jesus’ death.

Fr. Fabio reflected on the reasoning of Caiaphas, noting how it continues to resonate in contemporary society. The Sanhedrin, faced with the challenge of Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness, chose political expediency over the truth. Their decision to eliminate Jesus was driven by the desire to preserve a political and religious system threatened by Roman occupation.

Drawing parallels to modern times, Fr. Fabio remarked on how self-interest and political convenience often prevail over the common good. He highlighted the struggles of the poor, the weak, and the marginalized, whose dignity and rights are frequently overlooked in favor of maintaining power and privilege.

“We see how the political dynamic, sometimes cloaked in the mantle of religious ideology, convinces itself that those who promote a high humanity must be eliminated,” Fr. Fabio said. He called on the Salesians to respond to these realities by bearing prophetic witness—not only speaking about the poor but also speaking with them and living lives of dedication to the weak and vulnerable.

Fr. Fabio also explored the theological significance of Caiaphas’ words, noting how God’s plan for salvation often unfolds in unexpected ways. While Caiaphas intended his statement as a justification for Jesus’ death, it became a profound prophecy about the redemptive meaning of His sacrifice.

“It will be through the offering and total surrender of Christ that life is resurrected,” Fr. Fabio explained. “His death is not the end but the beginning of liberation for the entire community.” Even in the face of evil and human sin, God continues to bring forth sparks of good, advancing His salvific plan.

This perspective, Fr. Fabio emphasized, should inspire hope and courage. Although evil may seem to triumph in the world, the hidden workings of God’s redeeming love transform even the darkest moments into opportunities for grace and renewal.

Concluding his homily, Fr. Fabio Attard issued a powerful call to prophetic fidelity, urging the Salesians to maintain a vision of faith in the face of political, social, and cultural challenges. He encouraged them to remain fully committed to the educational and pastoral mission of the Congregation.

He reminded the assembly of Don Bosco’s unwavering dedication to the poor and his courageous witness to the Gospel. Don Bosco’s life, said Fr. Fabio, is a continuing source of inspiration and hope, calling the Salesian Family to renew their commitment to the young, especially the most abandoned and forgotten.

“Our testimony and our commitment, like Don Bosco’s, are called to challenge the powerful and those who hold the reins of society in a serene and authentic way,” Fr. Fabio said. “Only in this way are we witnesses who not only speak of the poor but also speak with the poor.”

The Concluding Mass of the 29th General Chapter was a moment of profound gratitude, reflection, and renewal for the Salesian Congregation. The journey of the General Chapter—beginning at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin and concluding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome—symbolized the Congregation’s deep connection to its roots and its ongoing mission to proclaim God’s love to young people worldwide.

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