Egidio Viganò – “Letter of the Rector Major” in “Acts of the General Council of the salesian society of St John Bosco”

During recent visits to various provinces, the Rector Major has personally witnessed the efforts being made to implement the resolutions and guidelines of the General Chapter. This entails translating into action the wealth of insights accumulated by the Congregation since the Second Vatican Council.

He sees this as part of the “new evangelization” demanded in contemporary times, a call reiterated by the Pope, the Bishops, and GC23. Youth themselves are seeking guidance and support in navigating the complexities of life. Parents and many others in civil or ecclesial roles are turning to members of the Salesian Family as experts in education.

Contents:

• Introduction: the newly emerging scene in the field of education
• Urgent need of “new education”
• The challenge of the young
• Distinction between “education” and “evangelization” as such
• Should education come before evangelization?
• Don Bosco’s choice of a field of work, and his practical example
• Educating by evangelizing
• Looking again at the “preventive syslem”: creativity of the “artist”, in solidarity with the young, with eyes trained on the New Man, for a work of anticipation, seeing “reason” and “religion” in the same light, with inventive attention given to free time, towards the reality of life
• Self-sanctification through educating
• Prompted by Mary in her role as Mother of the Church

Reference time period: 1991

Reference institution:
Direzione Generale SDB