Rome (Italy). On 12 April 2025, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Rome – where Don Bosco, on 16 May 1887, celebrated with emotion recalling that Our Lady had done everything in his life, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Fabio Attard, together with the members of the General Chapter, presided at the solemn Eucharistic Celebration of the closing of the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, on the theme, “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people”. The Chapter began on 16 February 2025, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin and saw the election of the Rector Major and the new General Council.
At the Celebration were present the Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, with some General Councilors; the Superior of the Mary Mother of the Church Preprovince (RMC), Sister Jessica Salvaña; the Provincial of St. John Bosco Province (IRO), Sister Gabriella Garofoli; the Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Education “Auxilium”, Sister Piera Ruffinatto; and other FMA, civil authorities, and young people.
The closing date of this special time of prayer and discernment is significant in the anniversary of the day on which, on 12 April 1846, Easter Sunday, Don Bosco inaugurated the Tettoia Pinardi, beginning the Salesian work.
Before the beginning of the Eucharist, the concelebrants in procession, accompanied by the singing of the litanies of the saints performed by the youth choir, paused before the new image of St. Artemis Zatti, placed at the back of the Basilica and blessed by the Rector Major, to then proceed to the altar.
“With this Eucharistic Celebration and the final act of the closing Discourse, we place this experience of the General Chapter on the altar of the Word and of the body and blood of Christ. From this place, where the letter from Rome left, where Don Bosco could hear the truth of the word that the Mother and Teacher had told him – ‘In time you will understand everything’ – we ask the Lord that with this awareness of being accompanied by a Mother and Teacher, we may have the strength of the Spirit to continue listening to the power of the Word and the cry of the young, so that with the passion of Jesus we may give ourselves totally for the good of the young,” are the introductory words of the Rector Major.
In his homily, Fr. Fabio Attard commented on the passages of John’s Gospel that accompany Holy Week, in which the evangelist presents Jesus who brings light and comfort to the weak, like a shepherd, and gives life to the dead, anticipating His total offering on the cross. “The mission of Jesus puts into crisis a political order and a religious understanding. (…) It is certainly not up to us directly to promote social policies in favor of the poor, but it is undoubtedly up to us to be witnesses of choices in favor of the poor and the weak. Living a life that testifies to dedication and unconditional commitment towards a better future for our young people,” he highlighted.
Reflecting on the figure of Caiaphas, he then urged to “maintain a vision of faith of the various political, social and cultural events, be prepared and proactive, with prophecy and professionalism, for the educative and pastoral good of young people, with the consolation that God continues to work for us, with us, in us, so that we may continue to offer ourselves in an authentic and sincere way,” in the light of the witness of Don Bosco, “which is for us a source of hope, towards an ever renewed prophetic fidelity .”
After the Eucharistic Celebration, the Salesians of Don Bosco, having taken off their liturgical garments, lived another intense moment. The Rector Major gave his concluding discourse, in which he shared the fruits of the Chapter and indicated the guidelines for the future of the Congregation.
Fr. Fabio expressed deep gratitude for the experience lived during GC29, describing it as a “moment of Salesian Pentecost”. He highlighted how the Holy Spirit has guided each phase of the Chapter through the method of “conversation in the Spirit”, and invited the entire Congregation to continue on this path of listening and discernment.
“When we are truly passionate about Christ and dedicated to the young, we discover that walking together is beautiful, even if it is tiring.”
