The meeting was attended by the collaborators of the ‘Salesianos Editora’ and the Porto Bookshop, the Editorial Director, Fr Rui Alberto and the Rector of the Salesians in Porto, Fr João de Brito. Those present gathered for a moment of sharing and reflection on the editorial work carried out.
Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy began by presenting his life’s journey in the Congregation. He grew up in Salesian settings and did almost all his schooling at the Salesians in Utrera, the first Salesian house in Spain. He was in charge of Youth Ministry and the Salesian Family, and was Superior of the Salesian Province of Madrid. In 2020, during General Chapter 28, he was elected Councillor of the Mediterranean Region and re-elected in the same role at the following General Chapter in April 2025.
The Regional Councillor then described the area covered by his mission, which spans 22 countries and 12 provinces, all with very different economic, social and religious circunmstances.
As he explained, the Councillors are ‘the eyes, ears and heart of the Rector Major who, unable to go to all the countries where Salesians are, sends the different Councillors on his behalf.’ Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy latersummed up this activity into three main objectives, the first of which is to promote communion.
‘Salesian presences are not islands,’ he explained, ‘and it is important to make people feel that we are all part of one big family.’
The second is to know each place, ‘not to control it, but rather ove it. Something we do not know cannot be loved, and when something is not loved, it does not arouse interest. The Rector Major and I are interested in loving each of our places,’ he said.
The third is to ensure fidelity to the Salesian charism, providing guidelines that contribute to the fulfilment of what was defined in the General Chapter.
After a brief presentation of each of the collaborators, the Regional Councillor thanked everyone for their commitment and emphasised the importance of the publishing sector for the Salesian Congregation. The editorial mission, he said, ‘is at the heart of the Salesian work’ and is ‘a charismatic reality’.
The meeting concluded with a special reference to Our Lady of the Rosary whose liturgical memorial was celebrated that very day, recalling Mary's fundamental role in the spirituality and life of the Salesian Congregation.
This meeting is part of the Extraordinary Visitation to the Salesian Province of Portugal, which began on 2 September and will end in January 2026.
