Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala). From 26 to 29 August 2025, the meeting of the formandees of the Salesian Family took place in the city of Antigua Guatemala, at the Posada di Belén of the Bethlehemite Sisters.
36 young men and women religious from Central America participated in this experience: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Our Lady of the Angels Province (CAR), Salesians of Don Bosco, and Daughters of the Divine Savior (HDS). The fraternal climate, typical of the Salesian Family, made it possible to share reflections, celebrations, and moments of fraternity.
Objective of the meeting
The meeting aimed to offer a formation space that would help to understand and face the challenges and opportunities of religious life in the current context, promoting synodal formation, attentive to the impact of new technologies on community life and the Salesian pastoral mission.
Themes for reflection
Two main themes were explored in depth over the days:
- The new generations faced with religious life, by Alejandra Rodríguez and Fr. Marcelo Navarrete.
- Definition and implications of artificial intelligence and social networks on personal and community life.
The voices of the participants
“This encounter was an enriching experience in every sense for me. The days were marked by a climate of sharing, reflection, and friendship, which allowed me to grow on a personal, pastoral, and spiritual level. The Eucharistic celebrations, the prayer spaces, and community reflections were essential moments to deepen my identity as a Salesian, pastor, and accompanier. Each formation dynamic offered me tools and new knowledge that I feel encouraged to put into practice in the pastoral area for which I was destined, with renewed enthusiasm and commitment.
The meeting was not only a space for spiritual and pastoral formation, but also for fraternity. The games and recreational moments allowed us to laugh, live together, and get to know each other better, strengthening friendship and trust among all. This experience was even more significant thanks to the possibility of sharing with brothers and sisters of different nationalities, thus discovering and appreciating the cultural and spiritual richness we have as a Salesian Family.
Ultimately, this meeting was a true gift that pushes me to continue living my Salesian vocation with joy, with the certainty that fraternal sharing and ongoing formation are fundamental pillars of our journey.” Rodrigo Orellana, SDB
“It was a space full of growth, where the bonds of unity were strengthened through moments of faith, action, spirituality, and fraternity with the formandees. The meeting created a true family atmosphere, offering a formation whose main objective was to ensure a spiritual accompaniment capable of bringing God to the recipients.
At the same time, we were invited to remain vigilant about today’s new realities, engaging ourselves as religious in the mission entrusted to us. It was also a time of joy, unity, and hope, where music, laughter, and fun intertwined to show that faith is always a source of joy and trust.” Sister Dania Mercedes Herrera Flores, HDS
“It was a very enriching experience, which fostered not only a formation space, but a real family gathering. I experienced it with joy and was able to appreciate the reception of the various proposals by everyone. The topics covered were timely and help us to be better prepared for the mission among the children, adolescents, and young people entrusted to us.” Sister Alba Rosa Pineda, FMA
An experience of hope
The encounter allowed the formandees to recognize the challenges and possibilities of religious life in the present, especially in the face of the cultural and technological transformations that characterize the new generations.
The days ended with a sense of gratitude and hope, reaffirming the commitment to walk together in fidelity to the Salesian Charism.
