The meeting began with a prayer led by the Salesian Province of Piła, Poland. The invocation to the Holy Spirit included the request that Christ be at the centre of our lives, that we may have hearts ready to listen and serve, open to the Word of God and joyful in giving ourselves, especially to young people. The entire assembly was entrusted to Mary Help of Christians, with a joint recitation of the Hail Mary.
Fr Bartłomiej Polański, SDB, Superior of the Province of Wrocław (PLO), welcomed the participants, emphasising his joy at the joint meeting and at the unity with the entire Salesian Family celebrating the 44th edition of this important Salesian event. He then wished everyone a blessed time of spiritual communion. Fr Piotr Lorek, SDB, emphasised the special dimension of this year’s celebrations – the 150th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators – thanking them for their presence and witness of life. Referring to the Strenna for 2026 and Mary’s words at Cana, he reminded those present that it is she who teaches us trust and obedience to the Word of Jesus.
A special moment of the meeting was the vocational testimonies of the Salesian Cooperators from four provinces, which – as Fr Zygmunt Kostka, Vice-Provincial of the PLS Province, emphasised – represent an invaluable gift for the entire Salesian Family.
Natalia Tarnogrodzka, from Wroclaw, spoke about her journey, which began with her participation in WYD 2016 and which, through exploration and discernment, led her to take her vows. Like Mary at Cana, she desires to have courage and to be an instrument in God’s hands. Waldemar Bojar, from the Province of Pila, shared his experience of many years of formation and work with young people, emphasising that Salesian spirituality gives him the strength to serve faithfully, even in the difficult daily family life. Elżbieta Talik, from Warsaw, a Salesian Aspirant, spoke of her many years of accompanying the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and her deep sense of belonging to the Salesian Family. Andrzej Wanat, from the Province of Krakow, emphasised the fundamental importance of listening to Jesus, which allows us to discern his will correctly.
Participants were invited to the Salesian Cooperators’ pilgrimage to Jasna Góra to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Association (16 May) and to a meeting of ASC Youth (24 January). This was followed by group work, during which they shared their experiences of daily discernment of God’s will. Many voices resounded on the importance of the Word of God, the Eucharist, adoration and silence, in which God often speaks through people.
In conclusion, Agata Kołakowska emphasised the value of community and family – including the Salesian Family – which help us to live the charism of St John Bosco faithfully in our daily lives.
A touching addition to the meeting was the testimony of Olena, from Odessa, who spoke about discovering her vocation in the Salesian community and the foundation of the Salesian Cooperators community in Ukraine. ‘This is my vocation,’ she said with simple joy and hope for the further development of the community.
The closing prayer was led by the Salesian Province of Krakow. Sister Małgorzata Łukowska gave the ‘Good Night’, retracing the scene at Cana in Galilee and recalling the sacredness of daily life, which – lived with fidelity and wisdom – can become a place of revelation to God. She encouraged gratitude and trust in Mary, recalling the words of Don Bosco: ‘Trust in Mary and you will see what miracles are.’
In conclusion, Fr Polański thanked the organisers and participants and invited everyone to pray together at Jasna Góra on 31 January. ‘We must do whatever the Lord Jesus tells us,’ he reminded them, encouraging them to listen to, read and meditate on the Word every day. The meeting ended with a blessing, in an atmosphere of gratitude, unity and renewed willingness to serve in freedom.
