The uniqueness of this edition
This year’s edition is undoubtedly special, as it is the first to be accompanied by the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard. It will serve to deepen the theme of the Strenna for the new year – “Do whatever he tells you. Believers, free to serve‘ – as an invitation to rediscover faith in Jesus Christ as a source of inner freedom and generous gift in daily life and apostolic commitment, primarily at the service of young people most in need.
’The 44th Spirituality Days are days that will make us witnesses to the profound transformation that faith works in people and in which we will experience the transformation that faith works in us. It is precisely this transformation that young people most in need, in the varied situations in which they find themselves, wish to see in us,” commented Fr Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, in summarising the value of this event.
The programme of events
The morning of Thursday 15 January will be devoted to welcoming participants to Valdocco. Then, at 3 p.m. (UTC+1), the opening session and presentation of the Strenna by the Rector Major will begin, marking the official start of the Days. The celebration of the Eucharist in the Basilica and, after dinner, a concluding moment of missionary prayer, will introduce the style that has always characterised this event: a balance of prayer, fraternity and communion.
Friday 16th will be dedicated to biblical and theological study of the theme, with a lectio divina led by Deacon Paolo De Martino and subsequent sharing in language groups, a valuable space for realistic dialogue on the challenges of faith today. In the afternoon, the programme will offer participants a choice of activities to help them learn more about various expressions of Salesian, youth or Turin holiness, with the exhibition “Le ali di Maria Troncatti” (The Wings of Maria Troncatti), another exhibition on Piergiorgio Frassati, the opportunity to visit the “Museo Casa Don Bosco” (Don Bosco House Museum) and a testimony on Akash Bashir.
The Eucharistic celebration will take place in the church of St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo and will honour the memory of this illustrious Piedmontese saint, thus marking the roots of Salesian spirituality in the great tradition of social charity that characterises Turin. Finally, the day will end with a prayer vigil organised by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA).
Saturday 17 January will be dedicated to discussing the reality of young people and lay groups: the morning will be reserved for dialogue on how to awaken and accompany the faith of young people, also drawing on testimonies and good practices already in place. In the afternoon, there will be a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Salesian Cooperators, with celebrations of the past and a look at the present and the future – accompanied by a special exhibition on the lay groups born within the Salesian Family. The fraternal evening will conclude the day in the spirit of Salesian joy.
The last day, Sunday 18 January, will offer participants a moment of reflection and synthesis: after morning prayer and the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Rector Major, the assembly will move on to the final evaluations, first with discussions in small groups and then in the final assembly meeting, before the concluding sending forth, with an invitation to all to live their faith as openness to daily service, especially in favour of the most vulnerable young people.
Live streaming to participate remotely in SFSD 2026
For many years now, the Salesian Family Spirituality Days (SFSD) have been streaming the most solemn moments of the assembly, in order to spread the echo of what is shared during these special days of friendship, faith and commitment in Valdocco throughout the world.
Anyone wishing to attend and thus participate in the Salesian Family Spirituality Days can do so by connecting to the playlists created on YouTube in five languages: Italian – English – Spanish – French – Portuguese.
