During the Provincial Chapter, Salesians and their collaborators shall try to discern the steps to be taken to plan together the "Salesian Uruguay" they dream of building together.

Ahead of that meeting, the pre-Chapter assembly began in the premises of the Salesian Institute "John XXIII" with a prayer led by the "Hay Algo Más" group.

Then, in the Auditorium of the Salesian Institute of Formation (ISF), URU Provincial Fr. Alfonso Bauer invited everyone to take up the image of fire, present in the Salesian Pastoral Educational Project of the Province (PEPSI), and to reflect on "how is our fire, our life, our interiority; to how to get to touch the most authentic place, starting from God, from our charism."

Fr. Bauer outlined the three necessary conditions for the Chapter and in its preparation: synodality, because "this journey is made together"; discernment, because "we have to listen to what God wants from us, from our Province, for our mission"; and, finally, co-responsibility, because "everyone is responsible in the place where they are so that what we discern, God's project, can be put into practice."

After several speeches by the Regulator, Fr. Sebastián Ferreyra, and Dr. Sofia Gutfraind, of the provincial coordination team, on the main aspects of the capitulary journey, Fr. Romero spoke, offering his point of view and shared the dreams and hopes he found in Salesian Uruguay.

Among these, he pointed out: the desire for a heartfelt and cared-for fraternity; a spirituality and ecological consciousness increasingly integrated into the educational-pastoral proposal; the hope of being able to tackle more decisively the pastoral work of accompanying university youth; and the dream of strengthening the network of oratories and the training of animators.

Fr. Romero also outlined what characterizes the way the Salesian charism is embodied in Uruguay and highlighted the rich variety of Salesian presences; the shared work with the laity, with a good group of professional and generous lay people who share charism and responsibility; the option for working-class environments and the poorest young people; the proper preparation for entry into the world of work and the quality of preparation for university entrance of graduates; missionary commitment; the Salesian Youth Movement; and oratories.

Finally, the Regional Councilor also highlighted some threats to pay attention to and the potentials that can help move forward in creative fidelity and what the Congregation requires.

The assembly was then completed with group work to identify themes for the Provincial Chapter, a summary presentation of what was shared, and the final prayer.

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