Representatives from the Provinces of Krakow (PLS), Piła (PLN), Warsaw (PLE), Slovenia (SLO), Croatia (CRO), the Czech Republic (CEP), Malta (MLT), Austria (AUS), Northern Belgium and the Netherlands (BEN), Great Britain (GBR), Germany (GER), Piedmont (ICP) and the Special Circumscription of Rome (ICC).
Also present were Fr Fidel Orendain SDB, General Councillor for Social Communication, and Fr Ricardo Campoli SDB, a member of the Sector and liaison for the delegates from America and Europe.
The meeting took place at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow, a house of formation and the seat of the provincial offices, a venue that fostered an intense experience of sharing and discernment.
Communication that springs from the Eucharist
Each day began with the celebration of the Eucharist together with the Salesians in formation, a concrete sign that Salesian communication has its roots in listening to the Word and in a personal encounter with Christ.
In his introductory address, Fr Fidel Orendain offered an analysis of the current state of Social Communication within the Congregation, in the light of recent General Chapters and in particular GC29. He invited the delegates to view communication not merely as a technical or operational field, but as a cross-cutting dimension of the Salesian mission, capable of animating every sector of educational and pastoral work.
Sharing of experiences and common challenges
One of the key moments of the meeting was the session dedicated to presentations by the various provinces. Significant experiences emerged in the fields of digital media, audiovisual production, the training of young communicators, and the management of social media.
Alongside these best practices, there were also challenges: the sustainability of projects, the ongoing training of staff, strategic coordination, and the need for a shared vision at European level.
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Responsibilities
On Wednesday 3 June, participants followed an online presentation by Marcin Dudek, an expert in information technology and artificial intelligence. His talk provided an overview of emerging technologies, highlighting the opportunities, risks and responsibilities associated with the use of artificial intelligence.
The need for ethical discernment emerged clearly: digital tools can become valuable allies in the educational and evangelising mission, provided they are used with competence, responsibility and fidelity to the Salesian charism.
In the afternoon, the topic of communication in crisis situations was addressed. The discussion provided an opportunity to share concrete experiences and to reflect on the importance of timely, transparent and coordinated communication.
Digital projects and a vision for the future
On 4 June, Fr Andrei Munteanu SDB, a member of the Social Communications Sector and head of Don Bosco Online and the Congregation’s website, presented the current projects and future prospects relating to the development of digital tools in the service of the Salesian global mission.
Fr Fidel Orendain presented the manifesto drawn up during the meeting: a document setting out the convictions and commitments shared by the participants in order to respond to the cultural and communicative challenges of the contemporary European context.
The sessions concluded with a celebration inspired by the Word of God, which highlighted the spiritual dimension of communication as a service to young people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
In Communion with the Newly Beatified
The gathering was further enriched by the extraordinary setting of the beatification of the nine Polish Salesian martyrs, celebrated on 6 June at the Shrine of St John Paul II. Participants also attended a special screening of the documentary “Passion – The Beginning of Holiness”, produced by the Krakow Province, which traces the path to martyrdom of Jan Świerc and his companions.
The witness of the newly beatified served as a powerful call to consistency and fidelity, including in the field of communication: to proclaim the Gospel with courage, even when the cultural context is complex or hostile.
Building communion
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants emphasised that Salesian communication is not merely about producing content or managing digital platforms, but above all about building communion, supporting one another, and recognising the signs of hope that God continues to bring about in the mission.
Through the intercession of the newly beatified Jan Świerc and his companions, Salesian communicators in Europe renewed their commitment to proclaiming the Gospel in the digital world and to building bridges of encounter in the service of young people, in the spirit of Don Bosco.
