The congress was organised jointly by the Salesian Polytechnic University (UPS)  Ecuador, the Salesian Juan XXIII Higher Institute  and the Salesian University (UNISAL) Buenos Aires – and by the Salesian Provinces of Argentina North, Argentina South and Ecuador, with the support of the Abya Yala Ediciones Don Bosco (Argentina) Salesian publishing houses  as well as the Salesian Bulletin and the Association of Salesian History Enthusiasts (ACSSA).

The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of UPS, Fr Juan Cardenas Tapia SDB, the Rector of Unisal, Fr Guillermo Tanos SDB, the Provincial of Argentina south, Fr Dario Perera, and the Coordinator of the Congress Organising Committee, Fr Francisco Chimento, SDB.

About 70 people, including young people and adults, attended the event. Half were Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and the other half were lay people involved in Salesian works. This same proportion was also maintained among the speakers.

The Congress followed the methodology of ‘seeing, judging and acting’, articulated around the verbs ‘giving thanks, rethinking and relaunching’ that are accompanying Salesian reflection throughout the missionary anniversary year.

Numerous conferences were held during the working days: Dr Emilce Cuda, of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, gave a lecture on mission in the Church and on mission as a theme throughout the papacy of Francis (starting from the Latin American conference in Aparecida), with a reference to the very first steps taken by Leo XIV, also a pope from the Americas.

Other noteworthy presentations included those by Fr Heriberto Cabrero Reyes SDB, of the Silva Henríquez Catholic University in Chile, who, drawing on his missionary experience in Africa and his academic knowledge, helped to outline new ways of projecting the Salesian mission in America; and by Dr Fernando Garcés and Dr José Enrique Juncosa, who explored interculturalism and mission in order to relaunch missionary initiatives in the current context. Fernando Garcés and Dr. José Enrique Juncosa, who explored interculturalism and mission in order to relaunch missionary initiatives in the present day.

In addition, throughout the Congress, the special participation of Fr. Reginaldo Cordeiro SDB, representative for America in the Mission Sector of the Salesian Congregation, was greatly appreciated.

Contributions were also presented by Mr Ariel Fresia, SDB, and Dr Maria Andrea Nicoletti, from ACSSA; Dr Cecilia Ortiz Batallas (UPS); Prof. María Beatriz Manso and Dr Germán Zúñiga, from the National Team for Aboriginal Pastoral Care in Argentina (ENDEPA); the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Silvia Dupont and Sofía Caballero; and the Salesians Honorio Caucamán, Néstor Zubeldia, Alejandro León, Lucas Mautino, Agustín Camiletti, Domingo Bottasso and Diego Clavijo.

‘The mission intertwines us in going forth.’ Final declaration of the Salesian Missionary Congress in America

On the last day, after working in small teams during the previous days, a final declaration was reached: ‘The mission intertwines us in going forth,’ which reads: ‘We strongly feel that going on mission today does not mean reusing old moulds, but putting our heart into life (corazonar), discerning it in encounter, inculturating the faith and inhabiting spaces with respect, audacity and tenderness (...) We are mobilised by the person of Jesus, his sending and his gestures that touch the wounded flesh of the world like the Good Samaritan’.

On where to go on mission today, the statement explains: ‘Where the Gospel gives life and needs to be reborn. The courtyards of the mission are the margins: the world of youth, indigenous peoples, the new vulnerabilities generated by globalisation, the digital world, ecology, addictions, the affective-sexual sphere, emotional health, social justice’.

‘We dream of a Salesian Family that is not afraid to go out, that allows itself to be questioned, that forms and transforms itself, that walks with others, weaving together a history of salvation. And in these 150 years of Salesian presence in America, we want every gesture of ours - every encounter, every choice, every community decision - to be part of a story that continues to beat,’ concludes the text of the pronouncement.

A story that intertwines paths and hearts: signing of the agreement between UPS and the Salesian House of Higher Education

The American Salesian Missionary Congress ‘Entrelazando Caminos’, initially entrusted to the Provincial Delegation for the Mission and the Salesian House of Higher Education (Juan XIII Higher Institute and UNISAL), soon saw the involvement of other actors, in order to live the spirit of communion and collaboration of minds and hearts fundamental to the mission in its preparation. Thus, the UPS of Ecuador soon joined the partner institutions.

Now, as a result of the co-organisation of the American Salesian Missionary Congress, on the third day of the event, the heads of the UPS and the Salesian House of Higher Education signed an agreement that not only strengthens the missionary and academic alliance between the two institutions but also opens up new opportunities for cooperation, exchange and training for teachers and students

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