Rome (Italy). From 18 to 20 November 2022, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Francis de Sales (1622-2022), the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome organizes an International Convention to celebrate his legacy.
Francesco di Sales influenced the history of spirituality and religious life, not only through his writings, including the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God, but also through his own way of life.
On the occasion of the jubilee year, the Superior General of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, tenth successor of Don Bosco, asked the Faculty of Theology, in particular the Institute of Spiritual Theology, to organize an International Convention in which to reflect in a scientific and academic way on Salesian heritage, spirituality, and pedagogical insights.
The convention consists of two parts:
In the first part some religious Congregations, Institutes, and Societies that have St. Francis de Sales as their patron and source of inspiration are addressed. St. Francis was not only the founder of the order of the Visitandines. As early as the 1600s, various Orders, Congregations, and Institutes were inspired by his spirituality and his work.
For the first time in history, the occasion of the Convention will bring together 14 of these Congregations: Missionaires de Saint François de Sales, Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart, Säkularistitut des Heiligen Franz von Sales, Prétres de Saint François de Sales, Salesian Sisters, Oblates de Saint François de Sales, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesians of Don Bosco … The various representatives will have the opportunity to tell how the Bishop inspired their founders and continues to be a source of inspiration even today. The program also includes the intervention of Sr. Eliane Petri, FMA, coordinator of the Spirituality Course of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
In the second part of the Convention, through interventions of a pedagogical, historical, ecclesiological, and spiritual nature, a wide variety of themes are discussed that have their origin in the spirituality, life, and writings of Francis de Sales.
In the atrium of the University, one can also visit the exhibit on Francis di Sales, with old and new art combined with some quotations from the bishop of Geneva.
It is possible to follow the event in live streaming through the Zoom application, without registering.
For information: https://francescodisales.unisal.it
