{"id":1029194,"date":"2026-01-16T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"trans-26702-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/infoans.news\/en\/trans-26702-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy \u2013 Salesian Cooperators: Don Bosco\u2019s Prophetic Dream Continues Through History, Life, and the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The session, animated by the World Council of Salesian Cooperators<\/strong>, focused on the theme: \u201cDon Bosco\u2019s prophetic dream continues: history and roots \u2013 the dream lives today, moving toward the future.<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It offered the Salesian Family a comprehensive reflection on the identity, journey, and mission of Salesian Cooperators in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n

At the Roots of a Shared Dream<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening the session, Italo Canaletti<\/strong>, World Councillor for the Italy\u2013Middle East\u2013Malta Region, retraced the historical and charismatic origins of the Association. The foundational reference remains 9 May 1876<\/strong>, the date when Pope Pius IX granted pontifical recognition to the Pious Union of Salesian Cooperators<\/em>. However, as was emphasized, Salesian Cooperators had long been present in Don Bosco\u2019s heart, mind, and works, as a concrete response to the growing educational and pastoral needs of his time.<\/p>\n

Through Don Bosco\u2019s own writings and significant historical milestones, the prophetic vision of the Saint of Youth clearly emerged: a Salesian vocation lived in the world by lay people and diocesan priests, men and women called to be evangelical leaven in society. This intuition was far ahead of its time and found full recognition in the post\u2013Vatican II ecclesial journey.<\/p>\n

Special attention was given to the evolution of identity expressed even in language: from \u201cSalesian Cooperators\u201d<\/em> as collaborators, to \u201cSalesian Cooperators\u201d<\/em> as a true vocational identity. This was not merely a change of name, but a deeper awareness of their charismatic calling. Today, the Association counts over 30,000 members in 102 countries<\/strong>, organized in 11 Regions<\/strong>, and is recognized as a public association of the faithful<\/strong>, an integral part of the Salesian Family.<\/p>\n

Faces and Stories of a Living Vocation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The historical reflection was followed by personal testimonies that embodied the charism in everyday life.<\/p>\n

Noemi<\/strong>, a Salesian Cooperator, shared a vocation born within a deeply Salesian family context and lived today as a wife, mother, and grandmother, close to young people and families as a presence of education and faith.<\/p>\n

Alfonso<\/strong>, a diocesan priest and Salesian Cooperator, spoke of a journey that began in the oratory and youth center, shaped by meaningful encounters with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and now lived through parish ministry, bringing the Salesian spirit into ordinary pastoral life.<\/p>\n

Different stories, united by one conviction: to be Salesians in the world, wherever life calls them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A Three-Year Journey to Remember, Renew, and Relaunch<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second part of the session focused on the present, with an intervention by Borja P\u00e9rez<\/strong>, World Councillor for the Iberian Region, who presented the three-year path of preparation for the 150th anniversary<\/strong>, launched by the World Council in 2023.<\/p>\n

This journey is marked by three key verbs:<\/p>\n