Pope Urges Salesians to Educate Youth with Passion for Christ

Turin, Italy – Pope Francis has called on the Salesians of Don Bosco to rekindle their passion for Christ and deepen their commitment to educating young people, in a message sent to the congregation’s 29th General Chapter currently underway in Turin.

The General Chapter, which runs from 16 February to 12 April, coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Salesians’ first missionary expedition to Argentina. As he continues to recover from bilateral pneumonia at his Vatican residence, the Pope offered his spiritual support to the congregation, formally known as the Society of St Francis de Sales.

Addressing the newly elected Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard of Malta, Pope Francis extended his greetings and blessings. Fr Attard succeeds Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, appointed by the Pope earlier this year as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

In his message, the Pope praised the Chapter’s theme—“Salesians passionate about Jesus Christ and dedicated to the young”—calling it a “beautiful goal.”

“To be ‘passionate’ and ‘dedicated,’ to let yourselves be fully drawn in by the Lord’s love and to serve others without keeping anything for yourselves—just as your Founder did in his time,” he said.

The Salesians, known for their commitment to educating and training young people, especially the disadvantaged, were urged by the Holy Father to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit in a spirit of synodal discernment and trust. He also acknowledged the evolving challenges faced by religious orders in modern society, emphasising that the foundational faith and zeal of consecrated life continue to be vital and are enriched by new gifts, including interculturality.

Pope Francis concluded by thanking the Salesians for their educational mission and encouraged them to press on with perseverance.

“I wholeheartedly bless you and your chapter work, as well as your confreres across the five continents, and I kindly ask you to pray for me,” he said.

Courtesy: Vatican News