The day began in the morning with the Eucharistic Celebration with Lauds, presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard. In his homily, Fr Joan Lluís Playà invited the assembly to contemplate the figure of Peter, recalling that in the Church, authority springs from love and service. Peter was not chosen because he was flawless, but because he was capable of allowing himself to be loved and forgiven: a significant reminder for all those exercising responsibilities of animation and governance to ask the Lord for a heart full of charity towards God and towards their brothers and sisters.
The highlight of the morning was the talk by Fr Michal Vojtaš, SDB, a lecturer at the Pontifical Salesian University, who offered a profound reflection on the Preventive System as the guiding principle for the service of animation and governance in institutes and associations. His presentation, entitled “Salesian Management and Leadership”, explored the complementary relationship between leadership and management in the Salesian tradition.
Fr Vojtaš highlighted how leadership is oriented towards people, transformation and vision, whilst management ensures structure, procedures and operational effectiveness. From Don Bosco’s perspective, these two dimensions are not opposed but integrate harmoniously.
Through nine fundamental dynamics – ranging from trust in Providence to the combination of “powerful vision and prudent management”, from the expansion of the work rooted in self-giving to teamwork, and finally to the synthesis between structured regulations and a family atmosphere – a model of governance was outlined that is capable of combining charismatic vision with organisational sustainability.
Particular attention was given to decision-making processes and the management of change across different cultures, emphasising the importance of discernment, clear criteria, shared responsibility and an integral formation that engages rational, emotional and spiritual intelligence. The Preventive System, the speaker reiterated, remains at the heart of every act of governance: reason, religion and loving kindness as a permanent style of leadership.
The participants then explored the topics in depth in small groups, followed by a plenary discussion. Furthermore, the project for the “Centre for Advanced Salesian Formation” was presented by Fr José Miguel Núñez, as a further sign of the commitment towards an ever-stronger professional development of the animation service.
In the afternoon, the Council enjoyed a significant cultural experience with a guided tour of the Consolata Shrine and the “Don Bosco, from biography to comic strip” exhibition, inaugurated at the Don Bosco House Museum in Turin.
After Vespers, led by groups from the Sisters of the Catechists of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians (SMI) and the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians
(MSMHC), Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, shared her experience of a spiritual encounter with Blessed Maria Troncatti during a trip to Ecuador, bearing witness to a fruitful motherhood born of entrustment to Mary and inviting everyone to rediscover the evangelical power of tenderness and affection. The day concluded with a novena to Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica-Shrine and with a profound moment of fraternity, sealing a journey that combined spiritual depth, charismatic reflection and a renewed commitment to educational and pastoral service.
{gallery}ICP – Consulta FS – Terzo Giorno 2026{/gallery}
