Speaking of Salesian formation, which is a craft, we cannot neglect the figure of women in Salesian educational environments. In fact, "the presence of women in many of our works is a fact, both as regards the rbeneficiaries and those who share responsibility for their education." As the Rector Major wrote in the fourth action guidelines for the six-year period, quoting Pope Francis: "What would become of Valdocco without the presence of Mamma Margaret? Would your houses have been possible without this woman of faith? […] Without a real, effective and affective presence of women, your works would lack the courage and the ability to transform presence into hospitality, into a home. Faced with the rigour that excludes, we must learn to generate the new life of the Gospel. I invite you to implement approaches in which the female voice, her outlook and her actions – appreciated for her individuality – finds an echo in making decisions; not simply as a helper but as someone fully involved in your presences."
The interview will try to ask how the presence of women enriches Salesian houses and all educational environments. What is her specific contribution in terms of sensitivity, educational attention, tenderness, hospitality and does her outlook, deeply original to the charism, manage to keep the spirit of Don Bosco alive.
Simply log in from 9 am to 10:15 am (UTC+1) on ANSChannel (ans's YouTube channel) or on donboscoitalia's Facebook page, where the broadcast will remain available for viewing at a later date.
The current one is the fourth cycle of events in the series "What kind of Salesians for the youth of today?", all promoted by the Conference of Salesian Provinces of Italy (CISI) - Formation Sector, and by the “Living Tabernacles” Study Centre.
The first edition explored the Salesian sacrament of presence (3rd action guideline), the second edition developed the consecrated identity of the Salesian in the vital relationship with Jesus (1st action guideline), the third edition focused on the urgency of "Da mihi animas, cetera tolle" (2nd action guideline).
In this 2023-2024 pastoral year, the meetings are dedicated to exploring the fourth Action Guideline on “formation to be Salesian pastors today” and, at the same time, considering the theme of General Chapter 29, to think about what it means to form Salesians “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people”.
