San Paolo (Brazil). From 18 to 23 July 2024, the Salesian School America Central Commission (ESA) met at the headquarters of the Our Lady Aparecida Province (BAP) in São Paulo.
The day after ESA V – held in Guadalajara from 1 to 5 May, on the theme, “Together for the present and future of Salesian education in America”. The meeting of the Commission, representing all the Regions and Conferences of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesians of Don Bosco of America (CIB, CISBRASIL, CIMAC, MESOAMERICA, NAC, CINAB, ANDINA, CICSAL, CONE SUL), had among its objectives that of nourishing and strengthening the commitment to increasingly network in the American continent.
After the prayer prepared by Sister Ivone Goulart Lopes, collaborator of the Youth Ministry Sector of the FMA Institute and referent for the Salesian School of America, on the theme “A Thousand Reasons to Live – The Path of Gratitude”, the group was warmly welcomed by the Provincial of São Paulo, Sister Alaide Deretti. They then listened to the video messages of the Councilors for Youth Ministry, Sister Runita Borja and Father Miguel Angel García, and of the Provincial of São Paulo, Father Alexandre Luís de Oliveira.
Sister Runita affirmed, “We can say that, for the entire Salesian world, the great network of the Salesian School of America is a good practice that inspires other realities.” As a network, ESA is thirty years old. This is no small thing! With respect to human experience, it has already reached a certain maturity and continues on this path of dynamism and fruitfulness. We must not forget to thank the many people who have contributed to its birth and its progress.
Like all growing realities, its history is marked by successes and failures, joys and sorrows. There are experiences of suffering and pruning to face the many changes as a Network and thus be able to continue to offer a holistic education that brings about change in society. The ESA Network has continued its journey, sailing towards the unknown, to continue the educative mission and nourish the life and hope of the new generations, their families, and the communities in which our Institutions are located.”
Father Miguel Angel highlighted six pastoral elements that should not be overlooked at the scholastic level and that are present on all continents: the care of the interiority of students; social transformation; the community aspect (“our way of doing education and pastoral work is through the community”); a safe, mature, balanced, and respectful environment of affection; the formation of the teaching staff, young people, and also families, with their respective programs. Another large area of the school is organic pastoral work, extracurricular work: continuing to work with volunteer groups, the oratory, the youth center, apostolic movements, NGOs, external campaigns; the importance of working with past pupils.
Welcoming the participants, Sister Alaide wished for a meeting with a synodal imprint, that is, thinking together, planning together, and acting together. “You are here, but behind you there is a multitude of young people. Your work has great significance for the educational lines that will be launched throughout America. Your responsibility is great and it is the bet that the Salesian presence in the American continent will make the difference in terms of the quality of formation and evangelization. May you be pioneers of paths and prospects for the future.”
During the meeting, participants reviewed the evaluation of ESA V and the results, the contributions to the document on Salesian Significance, the report of the Guadalajara meeting, the articles published on the event, and chose the date and place of the Commission meeting for 2025 and the meetings for Regions and Conferences. They also began to think about ESA VI, evaluating possible dates and locations.
The highlight of the meeting was the strategic planning for the next five years, presented by Sister Patricia Parraguez, member of the Commission.
The group also had the opportunity of some cultural visits, such as the Museum of the Portuguese Language, a charismatic visit to the Memorial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Brazil, at Guaratinguetá-SP, and a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, in Aparecida-SP.
In the bicentenary year of Don Bosco’s Dream at 9 years, this meeting strengthens the commitment and unity of the Salesian Family in America, renewing its dedication to the educative and evangelizing mission, to build alliances in the wake of the Global Educational Pact, and continue to be architects of the future, working together for a quality and inclusive Salesian education for all.
