As on previous days, the day began with Mass, but 9 May 2026 was no ordinary day. The joy already present in recent days doubled, becoming a prayer and a hymn of thanksgiving. 9 May, in fact, marked the 150th anniversary of the Association’s foundation and celebrated the moment when, at last, after some ten years, the Church approved Don Bosco’s plan to have lay members within the Salesian Family. Admittedly, Don Bosco’s original plan had to undergo a few minor changes and adjustments in order to be approved, but what does that matter in the face of the salvation of young people?

On 9 May 2026, continuity and renewal were celebrated, because the Pious Union of Salesian Cooperators – as it was named by Don Bosco – is today the Association of Salesian Cooperators, yet it continues to be what Don Bosco had dreamed of: true Salesians in the world, true Salesians who bring the charism of St John Bosco into their families, into their work in the service of young people, in the service of families and the poor.

In the homily by Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector Major Emeritus, there was an immediate reminder that the road ahead is all uphill, but above all a call to make room for the true protagonist of the mission: the Holy Spirit, for it is He who opens up geographical frontiers as much as people’s hearts to the Gospel. “From us,” emphasised Fr Chávez, “listening, docility and collaboration are expected.”

In the proceedings that followed, it was listening that was the heart of the day, and the Association’s outward gaze towards the missionary commitment it must embrace, towards what must characterise it and which will be the legacy left to future Salesian Cooperators. A round-table discussion was held in this spirit, attended by four participants from different parts of the world who exchanged views on “A new dynamic among young people, families and the elderly”.

The atmosphere of the day was rich with inspiration, marked by listening, suspended between celebrating these 150 years and looking towards the future of the Association. Then, from 6 pm, anticipation grew for the appointment by the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard, of the new World Coordinator. In the hall, everyone waited to find out who would be at the helm to continue living out and putting into practice Don Bosco’s dream.

When the Rector Major took to the stage, silence fell immediately and, before announcing the new Coordinator, Fr Attard emphasised the importance of governance in enabling us to walk together because, he stressed, without governance there is only anarchy.

In envisioning a governance that is fruitful for the Association and for the Salesian mission, the Rector Major laid down four key words as its foundation: listening; communion; mission; and participation. Four terms that provide all Salesian Cooperators with a programme for their presence within the Association and in the world. For listening generates humility, the humility which, as the morning Gospel had already reminded us, can arise only from intimacy with God and which enables us to be instruments at his service. Humility that generates communion and participation; a participation that leaves room for the action of the Spirit; a participation that avoids spaces of conquest; that avoids setting up elitist alternatives; a participation that fosters spaces of convergence and collaboration, both within the Association and within the Salesian Family.

With this programme, with these hopes, with this legacy, Fr Fabio Attard appointed the new World Coordinator: Borja Perez.

There was emotion in welcoming him, among those present. There was joy, celebration, and many “thank yous” for those leaving and for those staying, in one big family that rallies around a single dream: the salvation of young people. This is the first time a Coordinator has been elected who does not belong to the Italy, Middle East and Malta Region: the Spirit is blowing and driving us towards new horizons.

Daniela Pettinao