In a joint letter dated 24 February 2026 (Prot. 26/0052), the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard, and the Mother General, Sr Chiara Cazzuola, announced the International Congress titled “Esperienza Educativa Salesiana. Ripensare il Sistema Preventivo a 150 anni dallo scritto di don Bosco” (Salesian Educational Experience: Rethinking the Preventive System 150 Years after Don Bosco’s Writing). The Congress will take place at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome from 9 to 11 April 2027.

The initiative is the fruit of an extensive research project promoted by the Pontifical Salesian University and the Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium.” For the first time in history, the Congregation and the Institute, through their academic institutions, are carrying out such a wide-ranging and rigorous analysis of Salesian pedagogical practices worldwide. The project includes study seminars conducted by professors of Salesian institutions and an empirical research process directly involving the Provinces.

“This is a work of great importance for our identity and mission,” affirm the Rector Major and the Mother General, underlining that the Congress will evaluate the results of the empirical research and gather the fruits of the academic seminars. The goal is not merely commemorative; rather, it is to understand more deeply the challenges of today’s diverse social contexts and to incarnate, within contemporary culture, the inspiration and charismatic strength of Don Bosco’s Preventive System.

Both General Councils will participate in the Congress, and each Province is requested to send three qualified representatives, including the Provincial Delegate (or Councillor/Coordinator) for Youth Ministry. The most significant sessions will also be made available via streaming to ensure that local communities throughout the world can benefit from the event. Provinces are encouraged to begin preparing for the anniversary through moments of reflection on Salesian education, making use of the Acts of the seminars published by LAS.

Commenting on the upcoming Congress, Fr Rafael Bejarano, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, highlighted its profound pastoral and charismatic significance: “The Preventive System is not simply a pedagogical method from the past; it is the living modus operandi of the Salesians and the entire Salesian Family. It expresses how we are present among the young—with reason, religion, and loving-kindness—transforming environments into homes that evangelize. This joint Congress will help us rediscover the heart of our mission and renew our passion for accompanying young people, especially the poorest, in today’s complex world.”

Fr Bejarano further noted that bringing together the Congregation and the FMA Institute in a shared reflection makes the event particularly meaningful: “This shared journey reveals the beauty of our charism lived in complementarity. It will be a historic, memorable, and fruitful moment—not only for study and research, but for pastoral renewal and prophetic witness.”

As the Salesian Family prepares to celebrate 150 years of the Preventive System, the International Congress of April 2027 is already emerging as a kairos of grace—a global opportunity to rethink, deepen, and relaunch Don Bosco’s educational and apostolic passion for the young with renewed zeal and hope.

At the bottom of the page, you will find the letter of introduction to the congress signed by the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Mother General of the FMA, available in several languages.