The meeting, convened by the Advisory Team for the Museums of the Salesian Missions, led by Fr Reginaldo Cordeiro SDB, a member of the Missions Sector, brought together professionals from diverse museum contexts and settings. What began as a welcome day for institutions recently incorporated into the network quickly transformed into a space of communion and mutual recognition.
Through a virtual activity, participants then reflected on the following statement: “If Don Bosco were to visit our museum, which object or room in the museum would make him smile?”
“Our heritage comes to life when young people inhabit it,” said Cintia Navas, from Argentina, summing up the sentiment of a network that sees the museum not as a repository of objects, but as an educational meeting place.
Experiences that weave the global network
Through an evocative activity, participants reflected on which corners of their museums would make Don Bosco smile today. This exercise brought various experiences to light:
- Argentina: Belén Boetto (Buenos Aires) highlighted work with photographic and documentary heritage as a bridge between the museum and the parish community; whilst Carlos Martinic (Misión de la Candelaria) shared how the museum’s heritage brings the dreams of the Saint of Youth to life.
- Italy: Diego Occhiena presented the work of the “Mamma Margherita” Museum in Capriglio, which preserves the memory of the mother of the Founder of the Salesians, St John Bosco.
- Brazil: Marcos Lima offered an overview of the richness and diversity of museum practices in the Brazilian context.
A shared vision: educating through memory
Beyond geographical diversity, the dialogue revealed that all the centres share a single vision: to educate, evangelise and accompany the younger generations through beauty and history.
The day concluded with a symbolic gesture in which each participant displayed an object from their desk, representing their daily commitment to continuing to build the network’s future together.
The final message was clear: the network of Salesian museums not only preserves the past, but strides confidently towards the future.
