In recent years, the Salesian Congregation has gradually embraced a broader and more contemporary understanding of the concept of “mission.” This theological and pastoral evolution has led to a re-reading of the traditional notion of mission in light of new socio-cultural, ecclesial, and digital challenges.
Today, speaking of “missions” no longer means only thinking of geographically distant lands or so-called “mission territories.” Rather, it recognizes that the call to evangelize crosses cultural, social, and even digital boundaries of today’s world. The mission takes place wherever there is a need to proclaim the Gospel—including in countries with a long Christian tradition, which now call for a new evangelization, as highlighted in Evangelii Gaudium (no. 14).
This shift in perspective has been taking root in the life of the Congregation for decades: Salesian missionaries now come from all continents and are sent all over the world, bearing witness to an intercultural and universal vision of the missionary charism.
Even the Special General Chapter (GC20) acknowledged this development:
“Re-proclaiming the Gospel and reestablishing the Church in de-Christianized areas is also missionary action” (GC20, no. 465).
During GC29, this renewed vision was formally adopted as a shared heritage of the Congregation. Through a process of deep discernment and dialogue, the Chapter approved a revision of Article 30 of the Salesian Constitutions, which will now be submitted to the Holy See for approval.
The proposed new version of the article reads:
“People not yet evangelized have always been the focus of Don Bosco’s apostolic zeal and concern. They continue to inspire and sustain our missionary fervor: we see missionary work as an essential characteristic of our Congregation. Through missionary action, we carry out a patient work of evangelization, the establishment of the Church within a human group, and the revitalization of faith even in countries with an ancient Christian tradition…”
“It is especially meaningful that, in this 150th anniversary year of the first missionary expedition, we have approved the updating of the concept of mission in our Constitutions,” emphasized the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard.
ANS – Rome
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