The four-day meeting took place from 19 to 22 January in the beautiful setting of the snow-covered High Tatras and was attended by 49 Salesians: 21 Czech confreres – rectors and members of the Provincial Council – and 28 Slovaks.

The main speaker was Fr Michal Vojtáš, SDB, a Slovak Salesian currently based in Rome as a lecturer at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). In his address, entitled ‘Salesian Central Europe: country, soul, culture and family’ he addressed the theme of the historical influence on the formation of Salesian identity in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as the different cultural models in pastoral work with groups and individuals.

The second speaker was Dr Peter Šebo, an expert digital content creator, who interactively introduced participants to ‘The online world and social media: how they influence our lives and decisions’. The speaker encouraged the Salesians of Don Bosco present not to fear the online environment, but to enter it consciously as a pastoral space, also reflecting on the use of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence.

In addition to the common programme, the meeting also included separate meetings of the Rectors and a joint meeting of the Provincial Councils of CEP and SLK, focusing on mutual understanding and the exchange of experiences regarding their respective working styles.

The common formation offered a valuable space for reflection, sharing of experiences, as well as deepening the understanding of Salesian identity in the Czech and Slovak context.