The two sectors then split into their respective groups for deeper reflection. The Delegates for Social Communication spent one full day with each one sharing on the opportunities and challenges in their respective provinces. In his address to the confreres, Fr. Gildasio Mendes welcomed all the Delegates and pointed out that this meeting was a “moment of togetherness and a time to enjoy each other’s company”. He also emphasized that it was a “time to practice the sacrament of presence… a time of communion.”
Fr. Gildasio Mendes led the Delegates on a reflection on the Instrumentum Laboris Global Compact on Education, which was launched by Pope Francis in 2019, and how this document can be a guideline for Social Communication in its aspects of being Evangelical, Synodal, Salesian, Convergent and Artistic. These five points were then further explored in detail by Fr. Mendes in consideration with communication.
Fr. Maciej Makula introduced the proposal of topics for the celebration of the bicentenary of the Dream of Don Bosco at age 9 and the International Congress on Communication to be held in Rome in August 2024. The Delegates were asked to think about creative ideas in celebrating this important event in the Salesian Family.
At the joint meeting of the two Sectors, the topic of the digital world and its challenges for Salesians and young people today were also explored at plenary and small groups.
Br. Raymond Callo and Fr. Mendes gave their respective inputs and once again stressing that being in the digital world is no more an option. Br. Raymond noted that “we as Salesians are called to be educators and pastors in the digital world and that our identity as Salesians in this space must be authentic and transparent.” The question is how to integrate aspects of the digital world into formation.
Fr. Mendes pointed out that accompaniment of the young, especially the young Salesians, must always have the Gospel at its core. He challenged the confreres from Africa to create an African Salesian Digital Platform as a centre of information. Salesians are also called to be critical within the digital world. During one of his interventions, Fr. Mendes encouraged the Delegates to continue study, write and research. He also referred to the holiness of St. Artemides Zatti as a model for Salesians especially the young Salesians in initial formation in reaching out to the poor and the sick.
Br. Clarence Watts, SDB
