The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Juan Bustamante, Vice Provincial, and concelebrated by Fr Néstor Muñoz, Delegate for the Past Pupils. During the Mass, the Salesian priests encouraged those present to renew their commitment to Don Bosco’s educational and evangelising legacy by placing the values they received in Salesian works at the service of society.

The celebration continued with a fraternal gathering that brought together Past Pupils, representatives of the Salesian Family, members of the Don Bosco network, delegations from various centres in Santiago, and representatives of communities from neighbouring regions.

To ensure that the entire national community could take part in the celebration, participants also shared photographs, videos and greeting messages sent by Past Pupils’ centres across the country whose members were unable to attend in person.

One of the highlights of the day was the official launch of the journey towards the centenary of the Federation of the Salesian Past Pupils in Chile, which will be celebrated in 2027. The roadmap for the centenary was presented, outlining a programme of cultural, sporting, social, educational and spiritual initiatives that will culminate in the National Congress of the Past Pupils, bringing together representatives from across the country to reflect on the future of the movement.

The event also featured the official presentation of Red Don Bosco, (Don Bosco Network) an initiative that works in close collaboration with the Federation to strengthen ties among Past Pupils, Friends of Don Bosco, Salesian educational communities, the Salesian Family and other organisations inspired by Don Bosco’s charism. The network seeks to create lasting opportunities for collaboration, service, formation and fellowship, while promoting shared projects in support of young people and society.

The celebration provided an opportunity not only to commemorate the Federation’s 99-year history, but also to renew the commitment to building a vibrant and united community of Past Pupils dedicated to the Salesian mission.

Source: Salesian Bulletin – Chile