First of all, a sense of Church – well expressed in the theme for the Strenna for 2025, ‘Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people’ – it should be noted that this year's gathering will not take place, as usual, in Turin, but in Rome, with its permanent headquarters at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). This is because, as part of the planned activities, the members of the Council will take part in the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, scheduled for 7 and 8 June in Rome and the Vatican.
As for the purely Salesian flavour, it should be noted that the World Advisory Council 2025 will also be an opportunity to welcome, among the various Major Superiors and World Leaders, the new Rector Major elected by the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, who is the ‘Father and Centre of Unity’ of the Salesian Family (Art. 13 of the Salesian Family Charter of Identity), namely Fr Fabio Attard.
In detail, the programme of work is as follows:
Tuesday 3 June – Welcome and start of the journey
Participants will be welcomed in the afternoon at the UPS premises, with the opportunity to attend Mass at 6.30 p.m., followed by a fraternal dinner.
Wednesday 4 June – Meeting with the Pope and jubilee pilgrimage
Wednesday will be entirely dedicated to the Jubilee experience. In the morning, transfer by coach to St Peter's Square to attend the Wednesday audience with Pope Leo XIV. This will be followed by the celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Franciscan Sisters in the Vatican, presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Rector Major Emeritus, followed by a packed lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to a pilgrimage to the Holy Door, before returning to the UPS for Evening Prayer and the Rector Major's Good Night.
Thursday, 5 June – Formation insights and visit to the Postulation
Thursday will begin with Morning Prayer and Mass presided over by the Rector Major. Subsequently, Fr Andrea Bozzolo, Rector Magnificus of the UPS and member of the Synod, will present the final document of the Synod on Synodality, followed by group discussions and moments of open dialogue.
In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the headquarters and archives of the Salesian Postulation, led by Fr Pierluigi Cameroni and Fr Gabriel Cruz, respectively Postulator General and collaborator of the General Postulation. The day will conclude with a meeting on the educational offerings of the UPS and the ‘Auxilium’ Faculty, led by Fr Bozzolo and Sr Piera Ruffinato.
Friday 6 June – Reflecting on animation and accompaniment
The morning will be dedicated to the presentation of the new resource ‘Animation and accompaniment in the Salesian Family,’ with group work and sharing. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Catacombs of St Callistus, with Eucharistic celebration in the Chapel of St. Tarcisius, followed by a meeting with the community and Evening Prayer.
Saturday, 7 June – Reflection on the theme of the 2026 Strenna and Pentecost Vigil
Saturday will begin with the Eucharist presided over by the Rector Major, followed by a meeting chaired by him for the choice of the theme for the 2026 Strenna. Groups will also be able to present any initiatives and proposals.
In the late afternoon, transfer to the Vatican to participate in the ‘Pre-vigil’ and the Pentecost Vigil presided over by Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square. Return is scheduled for late evening.
Sunday, 8 June – At Sacred Heart, in the footsteps of Don Bosco
The final day will take place at the ‘Sacro Cuore’ in Rome, where there will be a visit to Don Bosco's rooms in Rome, followed by the Eucharistic celebration in the community chapel. After the visit to the Basilica and lunch, it will be time to say goodbye and depart.
The World Advisory Council of the Salesian Family is a privileged space where leaders dialogue and reflect to ensure the realisation of the Salesian charism throughout the world and to plan common pastoral initiatives. It institutionally expresses the charismatic unity of all the groups of the Salesian Family.
‘I am certain that, as in previous years, the meeting will be a powerful experience of communion for all of us and a new impetus for our concrete commitment to animation and governance in the service of our apostolic mission, in the contexts in which we find ourselves,’ concluded Fr Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family.
