Around 60 leading figures from the various groups born of Don Bosco’s Salesian charism are taking part in the event, marking one of the highest turnouts ever recorded: indeed, no fewer than 27 of the 32 groups comprising this great charismatic family at the service of the Church and young people are directly represented.
Day One: Message of the Rector Major
During the first half-day of proceedings, which was primarily focused on familiarisation and planning, the participants gathered in the early afternoon to hear the words of welcome and an outline of the programme from the Rector Major’s Delegate for the Salesian Family, Fr Joan Lluís Playà, and the introductory address by the Rector Major himself, Fr Fabio Attard, who presented the guiding theme of the 2026 World Consultation.
On the afternoon of Wednesday 20 May, during the first half-day of proceedings – which focused primarily on familiarisation and planning – the participants gathered to hear the words of welcome and an overview of the programme from the Rector Major’s Delegate for the Salesian Family, Fr Joan Lluís Playà, and the introductory address by the Rector Major himself, Fr Fabio Attard, who presented the guiding theme of the 2026 World Consultation.
In his address, the Rector Major focused on the present moment of the Salesian Family, highlighting several significant anniversaries of recent years (2025 – 150th anniversary of the Salesian Missions; 2026 – 150th anniversary of the Salesian Cooperators; 2027 – 150th anniversary of the Preventive System) and the journey of the most recent Strenna messages (on Hope and Faith), to affirm that these “are not merely coincidences or chronological, historical anniversaries, but are reminders within the history of the Spirit’s presence” and that they point towards the completion of a journey animated by pastoral charity, that of the Good Shepherd.
For this reason, he invited all Major Superiors and the Leaders or Delegates of the various groups present to experience the days of the Consulta as an inner journey to rediscover the charismatic roots of the Preventive System, clearly noting that “the charism is not a pedagogical technique” and should not be examined “from a functional point of view”, but “is the action of the Spirit, it is a fire that purifies, that illuminates, that gives energy for the journey”.
From this perspective, therefore, the charism is a gift received freely and undeservedly, which nevertheless also becomes a responsibility to be shared, without being overcome by fear, nor by inertia, nor by the fear of not being up to the task. Even whilst Don Bosco was still alive, the Rector Major recalled, the Salesians were already in danger of losing their way, of no longer living the Preventive System. The point, then, is not to calculate how many gifts one possesses and what results one might achieve, but to have the courage to put oneself on the line, to truly trust the Lord as the guide of one’s life, so as to be “co-consecrated” persons, that is, “those who dwell in the sacred”.
In this way, he assured, for a world floundering in darkness, surrounded by language of violence and logic of oppression, the authentic witness of those who have founded their lives on God shines in a special way, and certainly becomes a source of healthy restlessness for young people.
After a brief round of introductions, particularly for the newly welcomed members, the day concluded with common Vespers, the traditional “Salesian goodnight”, and the recitation of the Novena to Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica dedicated to her.
After a moment of introductions among all present, and especially of the new members welcomed, the day concluded with the communal prayer of Vespers, the traditional Salesian goodnight, and the Novena to Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica dedicated to her.
The programme for the following days
On Thursday 21 May, the Lectio Divina led by Fr Marco Rossetti, SDB, on the theme “I am the Good Shepherd”, was followed by working groups and joint discussions in the spirit of discernment and dialogue inspired by the recent ecclesial synods – following the working method defined as “Conversations in the Spirit”. After a plenary session to share the outcomes, the morning concluded with Mass presided over by Fr Attard.
In the early afternoon, as work resumed, the programme included the presentation of Fr Rossano Sala’s paper entitled: “The Preventive System put to the test in the third millennium. The prophetic relevance of our educational and pastoral style”. The activities will be rounded off by a time of discussion and exchange with the speaker, as well as the spiritual moments of Vespers and the community Novena.
The schedule for Friday 22nd includes morning Mass and a session led by Fr Michal Vojtàš, a lecturer at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), on “The Preventive System in the service of animation and governance of institutes and associations”. Following the usual time for individual discussion and group discussions (Religious, Secular Institutes, Lay Associations, etc.), there will be an informative session presenting the Centre for Advanced Salesian Formation recently established at Colle Don Bosco, led by Fr José Miguel Núñez Moreno, SDB.
In the afternoon, following a guided tour of the Consolata Shrine in Turin, so dear to Don Bosco, various groups from the Salesian Family will share some information, and then all those present will be invited to visit the exhibition currently on display at the Casa Don Bosco Museum, which explores the various ways of conveying the history and charism of the Saint of Youth, “from biography to comic strip”, as its title states.
On the final day of proceedings, Saturday 23 May, the Rector Major, Father and Centre of Unity of the Salesian Family, will lead the closing assembly, which will then be explored in greater depth during group discussions. And following a final briefing session with guidance from the Secretariat for the Salesian Family and the General Postulation for the Causes of Saints, the 2026 World Consulta will officially conclude with the closing Mass, again presided over by Fr Attard.
Thanks to the rich programme of activities, the richness derived from the fruitful exchange of different charisms and pastoral approaches, and by virtue of the intrinsic significance of the Salesian sites, especially during the Marian month of May, the meeting constitutes a powerful experience of Salesianity for all participants and offers new impetus to the service of animation and governance and to the apostolic mission of the various groups within the Salesian Family.
{gallery}ICP – Consulta FS 2026{/gallery}
