Bled (Slovenia). From 20 to 23 August 2024, the Bled Spirituality House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mary Help of Christians Province (SLC) hosted the Salesian Forum, the continuation of the Salesian Colloquia to promote the study and sharing of good practices around Don Bosco, Mother Mazzarello, and the Salesian tradition at a European level.
“Giving a second chance” was the theme, in relation to the Preventive System, of the study days attended by about twenty Salesians of Don Bosco, FMA, Salesian Cooperators, and lay people who work in the education of young people, coming from Belgium, Malta, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, and Nigeria.
The objectives of the Salesian Forum, coordinated by Fr. Carlo Loots, SDB of Belgium, were the following: Salesian formation, the promotion of dialogue and collaboration among European scholars who care for the Salesian tradition, reflection and collaboration among scholars and people involved in education, youth ministry and Salesian spirituality, the updating of Salesian pastoral care and pedagogy, the dissemination of research and results, the promotion of dialogue between tradition and the updating of Salesian reflection in the masculine and feminine.
The topic was addressed from different disciplinary points of view. Fr. Wim Collin, Professor of Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, presented the “second chance” in Don Bosco’s education with boys like Michele Magone. Sister Piera Ruffinato, Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” in Rome, focused on the “difficult cases” in the first Community of Mornese, presenting the Preventive System in the feminine context.
Father Antoine Farrugia, SDB, who is also a social worker, spoke about problems in the family, when it crumbles, and about a “second chance” for young people at risk. The interventions were followed by resonances in the group work.
The other update of the Preventive System was presented by Sister Magna Martinez, Professor of General Didactics at the Auxilium Faculty, who spoke of a “second chance” in the context of school dropout. The Austrian speakers, Carina Baumgartner of the Salesian Youth Movement Austria, and Father Johannes Haas, SDB, who deals with the formation of young Salesians, focused on the question: How can we create an environment in which failure and falling are seen as an opportunity for growth?
The last Salesian speaker, Fr. David Tulimelli, an Indian who has dedicated his life to the youth of Sudan, spoke about the impact of cross-border migration on European societies.
The participants, together with the speakers, had the opportunity to deepen the contents also during meals, on a trip to the island of Lake Bled, in the Good Nights prepared by the FMA of the SLC Province who presented their reality, and by Mrs. Lana Ivanjek, who works with migrants in Austria, and in other informal moments in which bonds were strengthened and new friendships were created.
The last day was dedicated to reflection on the event and proposals for the next Forum, which will be held in 2026.
