Lima (Peru). From 9 to 12 June 2025 in Lima, at the Casa de Retiro Misioneras Dominicas del Rosario, the meeting was held of the referents for education of the Interprovincial Conference of the Bolivarian Nations (CINAB) and the Andean Region, to reflect together on the path of the Salesian School in America (ESA), in the light of current challenges and opportunities offered by regional contexts.
The meeting was attended by 21 education leaders representing the 14 Provinces in which are present the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of the Divine Savior (HDS), and the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts (HHSSCC). This event strengthens the operational coordination of 5 Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Three main development areas – with related objectives and themes – have been the focus of the work:
- Introspection: Reflect on the journey of the Salesian School in America.
- Knowledge: Deepen the Model of Significance of the Salesian School.
- Action: Plan strategic actions for the Region.
The event opened on the evening of 9 June at the Salesian School St. Francis de Sales of the Salesians of Don Bosco where the participants were welcomed by the festive music of the Students’ Band of the School and by the dance group of the Mary Help of Christians School of the FMA of Lima Breña, which celebrated the richness and diversity of Peru with an artistic representation of its three natural environments: coast, Sierra, and jungle.
After the greetings of Sister Paola Bravo Guerra, FMA, Referent for the Schools of the Province of Santa Rosa da Lima (PER); of Fr. Elmer Jaramillo, SDB, Provincial Delegate for Education and Culture of the Province of Santa Rosa (PER); of the Provincial Juan Pablo Alcas Michilot; and of the Provincial Sister Elsy Edith Núñez Espinoza, the video messages were projected of the World Councilors for the FMA and SDB Youth Pastoral, Sister Runita Borja and Fr. Rafael Bejarano. The referents for School America, Sister Ivone Goulart and Fr. Claudio Cartes, addressed their welcome message to those present.
On 10 June, Sister Ivone Goulart Lopes, presented the theme, “Journey and contributions of the Salesian School in America”. Afterwards, Gina Canales gave a historical overview of the work in the Region and Sister Ana Victoria Paz presented the “Results of the Evaluation of the ESA IV strategic guidelines”.
In the groups, work was done on these questions: How do we face these results? What to do and how? How do we project ourselves in 2029? How do we want to be perceived? The participants worked on several key issues, such as improving educational practices and defining strategic objectives for each dimension of Salesian education.
Holy Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima, presided by Fr. Jozef Janza, SDB Provincial Vicar, and followed by a visit to the Basilica led by David Franco, historian. (video)
In the evening, there was a meeting for groups of the Salesian Family – FMA, SDB, HDS, HHSSCC – coordinated by Sister Ivone Goulart Lopes and José Luis Jiménez. The Good night was given by Sister Teresita Verhelst, FMA of the Colombian Province O.L. of the Rosary of Chiquinquirà (CBC) and Sister Sara Emilce, HHSSCC of Colombia.
On 11 June, the day began with the Eucharist presided by Fr. Juan Flores, SDB of Ecuador. Through a video conference, Sister Patricia Parraguez then presented the Model of Significance of the Salesian School, followed by an individual reading of the document. José Luis Jimenez, SDB, spoke about the Guidelines for defining strategic planning for the region. A session of games and team building activities was also organized, followed by the Goodnight by the HHSSCC sisters from Colombia.
Fr. Claudio Cartes, through a video message, expressed his gratitude for the years spent in the Youth Pastoral Sector accompanying and animating ESA, and introduced the new Contact for the Salesian Schools in America, the Salesian José Luis Jimenez, Colombian.
The meeting ended on 12 June with a Mass presided by Fr. Alexander Sosa, SDB of Bolivia, animated by the FMA and HDS. At the end of the event, each group presented its own strategic planning. Future challenges were identified and conclusions drawn. The final evaluation of the meeting was carried out via an online form, with the next meeting already in the planning phase.
Throughout the days there were moments of recreation and relaxation in the Salesian style, including a visit to the historic center of Lima, with the walk to Santa Rosa, Plaza de Armas, and a guided tour of the Cathedral.
