The Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati congratulates Fr Juan Carlos Perez Godoy who was re-elected as the regional of Mediterranean. The province wished him success as he takes up the role of leadership and support him with prayers.

The 29th General Chapter in its election held on 29^th March 2025 at Valdocco elected the following Salesians as Regional Councillors:

East & South Africa – Fr Bizimana Innocent

Central & Western Africa – Fr Alphonse Owoudou

America South Cone – Fr Romero Hector Gabriel

East Asia & Oceania – Fr Matthew Williams

South Asia – Fr Biju Michael

Central & Northern Europe – Fr Roman Jachimowicz

Interamerica – Fr Hugo Orozco Sanchez 

Mediterranean – Fr Juan Carlos Godoy

The seventh week of the General Chapter begins in a spirit of discernment and intensity, marked by several key events. The work focuses on the presentation and voting of deliberations 18-27, the development of core 1 and 2, and an important emphasis on some current issues. The week also includes moments of spirituality, cultural activities, and fraternal sharing. (Courtesy ANS)

The Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB, presided over the Holy Mass on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, along with the GC29 South Asian Provincials and Delegates.

During the celebration, the Rector Major acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the Salesians in the South Asian Region, commending their tireless efforts in the mission of Don Bosco. He expressed his heartfelt wishes for the Salesians to continue fulfilling the aspirations of the youth in South Asia, staying true to the Salesian charism.

Fr. Attard also extended personal gratitude to the Salesians of South Asia for their unwavering support and contributions to the Congregation and the entire Salesian world, recognizing their pivotal role in sustaining Don Bosco’s mission of education and evangelization.

With the phase of electing the new General Council members successfully concluded, the focus now shifts to approving the documents that summarize the high-level reflections of the Congregation, involving Provincials and Delegates from around the world. These documents will serve as guiding principles for every community, ensuring that the figure of Don Bosco remains relevant, especially for young people who are vulnerable and marginalized.

With the newly elected members, the Chapter now comprises 229 participants. The morning session formally ratified the elections of the new General Council members through the approval of last week’s minutes.

A Spirit of Faith, Hope, and Pastoral Charity

Fr. Fabio Attard, Rector Major, expressed gratitude to the assembly, stating: “We thank our merciful God for guiding us, so that we may always remain open to His call. What has happened so far in GC29 is something truly heartening and propels us forward. It is a gift to our beloved Congregation: a spirit of faith, hope, and pastoral charity.”

Reviewing Key Deliberations and Proposals

The assembly reviewed 10 deliberations and 5 proposals, presented by Fr. Luca Barone, which were later put to a vote. The outcome showed openness to well-developed regulatory aspects, while proposals requiring changes to the Constitutions did not achieve the required qualified majority.

Key decisions:

• Clarifying the Nature and Responsibilities of the Curatorium (Deliberation 18) – The Chapter discussed the role of this governing body and who holds ultimate responsibility for its decisions.
• Advance Planning for Extraordinary Visitations (Deliberation 19) – It was proposed that these visitations be scheduled as early as possible, ensuring full involvement of all members of the Province and integrating them effectively with regular regional activities.
• Methodology for General Visitations (Deliberation 20) – The proposal sought to refine the methodology to enhance preparation, ensure a synodal approach, and address specific challenges.
• Responsibilities of the Vice Provincials (Deliberation 21) – Following the model of the Vicar of the Rector Major, Vice Provincials should also handle matters related to religious discipline, allowing the Provincial to focus on his pastoral role as a father.
• Child Protection and Congregational Responsibility (Deliberation 25) – The GC29 reaffirmed the full commitment of the Salesian Congregation to the protection of minors.
• Minimum Community Size Requirement (Deliberation 26) – A new guideline allows the establishment of a community with a minimum of four consecrated confreres, responding to declining numbers in some Provinces or the need to open new missions.
• Commitment to Youth in Vulnerable Situations (Deliberation 27) – The Chapter approved comprehensive measures to ensure Salesian works and services prioritize young people facing economic, emotional, and spiritual poverty.

Legal Norms and the Ratio Fundamentalis

While deliberations were finalized in the early evening, discussions on legal and structural aspects—presented by Fr. Pier Fausto Frisoli, Procurator General of the Congregation—were referred to six commissions for further review in the afternoon session.

The session concluded with a presentation on the Ratio Fundamentalis, the Salesian formation framework, developed over the past six years through Council meetings, questionnaires sent to Salesian communities, focus groups, and studies by specialized commissions.

Fr. Ivo Coelho, outgoing Councillor for Formation, explained that the GC29 is not being asked to vote on a specific resolution, but rather to express a position based on a request from Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime. He emphasized the guiding principle of the document, encapsulated in Don Bosco’s words: “Strive to be loved.”

The Ratio Fundamentalis highlights the importance of lifelong formation and sees mission as an integral part of formation. Fr. Coelho reminded the assembly: “Let us be attentive to what happens within us during our apostolic work. This is Pope Francis’ invitation, and thus the Ratio Fundamentalis serves as a tool for pastoral accompaniment, helping us truly experience the values of the Salesian vocation.”

On 3 April 2025, the Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB, along with the newly elected major superiors, posed for an official photograph with the GC29 Delegates of South Asia in front of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Rome.

Later, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal, SDB, Provincial, along with Rev. Fr. Biju Michael, SDB, Regional of South Asia, and the two Province delegates, Rev. Fr. Joy Kachappilly, SDB, and Rev. Fr. Nicodim Aind, SDB, had the privilege of capturing another memorable photograph with the Rector Major.

The Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati congratulates Rev Fr Thathireddy Vijayabhaskar SDB who was appointed by the newly elected Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard, as his Personal Secretary at the Generalate in Rome. The appointment comes while Fr Thathireddy serves as the Salesian community’s Rector at Colle Don Bosco, Italy.

Fr Thathireddy, 51, was born in 1974 to Innareddy and Mariamma in the Diocese of Nalgonda. One of four siblings, he joined the Salesian aspirantate in Gunadala in 1987. He made his first profession in 1993 and his perpetual profession in 1999.

He pursued his theological studies at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore, and was ordained a priest in 2003 by Most Rev. Marampudi Joji. He holds a Doctorate in the Philosophy of Communication from the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), Rome (2009), and postgraduate qualifications in secular disciplines.

Fr. Thathireddy is fluent in Telugu, English, and Italian. With his rich pastoral and administrative experience—especially as a former Provincial and current Rector—he is well-equipped to assist the Rector Major in his global mission to serve the young.

 On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesians of Don Bosco continued with commission and assembly work focused on finalizing the documents inspired by the key themes of the general work plan (especially the Core Theme 2), as well as those that emerged in recent weeks. Numerous contributions were made, all aiming to turn hopes and proposals into practical directions for the entire Congregation.

There were many personal exchanges as well, with the courtyards of Valdocco filled with greetings and conversations among visitors and Chapter members.

Among the visitors was Fr. Marco Panero, who has served as Director of the Journal Salesianum since December 2022. It was an important opportunity to update Provincials and Delegates from around the world on the state of this quarterly journal, the official publication of the Pontifical Salesian University, which has been regularly published for 87 years and is highly respected.

“Of course, it’s a tool primarily designed for the academic community in theology and philosophy,” Fr. Panero explained. However, he emphasized that its presence within communities often inspires useful ideas and reflections for everyday formation activities.

Salesianum’s academic reputation is supported by its strong ties with both pontifical and state universities. “It is open to outside contributions,” he noted, “thanks to collaborations with scholars from other institutions. Our goal is to ensure it also holds value in secular academic circles.”

The widespread sharing of the magazine reflects the desire to spread the richness of Salesian scholarship. “We exchange publications with 178 other journals, and our content is indexed to support academic research.” Provinces are encouraged to access the magazine, considering its potential usefulness for university colleges and study centers worldwide. Fr. Panero also shared that even the oldest issues have been digitized, and articles are published in the author’s original language—whether Italian, French, Spanish, or English.

Continuing the editorial theme, Fr. Leonardo Mancini presented a special gift from the Province of Piedmont–Aosta Valley–Lithuania to the Chapter members: a collection of letters from Don Bosco. He shared one letter in particular, written on February 5, 1886, to Fr. Carlo Peretto, Prefect of Niterói, Brazil—a message still meaningful for Salesians around the world:

“When evening comes and I rest for a moment… I review you all one by one, I see you in spirit, I seem to hear your voices, I am deeply moved and I pray for you.”

Don Bosco’s words continued to resonate during the evening, as Chapter members were treated to a dramatic reading of selected letters, curated by Fr. Francesco Motto. These readings had also been featured last December during the presentation of the monumental ten-volume collection of Don Bosco’s complete correspondence, with explanatory notes for readers. A group of students from the UPS in Rome performed the letters in a deeply moving theatrical presentation titled “Affezionatissimo amico…” (“Your Most Affectionate Friend…”).

The evening concluded with a reading of Don Bosco’s Spiritual Testament, which was received with heartfelt emotion and honored with a long, warm round of applause.

On the morning of April 8, the assembly unanimously approved the final document—a challenging task, given the need to find a common language among delegates from 136 countries. Yet, this intercultural effort has borne fruit. The Chapter members now take home not just a document but a shared desire to draw closer to the Lord and to “do whatever He tells you,” echoing Mary’s words at Cana, which had been a focus of prayer and reflection throughout the assembly.

Fr. Eunan McDonnell, Provincial of Ireland, offered a profound meditation on the Gospel of Luke: “She treasured all these things in her heart.” That same process now awaits the Chapter members—allowing the experiences of Turin, the journey back, and the joy of reunion to settle in the mind and the heart.

Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard offered a heartfelt farewell that left space for further reflection in Rome. “I’ve only arrived two weeks ago,” he said, “while you have been here for eight…” He encouraged everyone to carry the joy and treasures of the GC29 back to their provinces with courage and hope.

The Chapter will officially conclude with a solemn Eucharistic celebration on Saturday 12, at 11:00 am, presided over by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

The Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard presented a special gift, the Medal of Mary, to the participants of the General Chapter 29. The medals were kept overnight at Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of St. John Bosco. “This is not a pious gesture,” said the Rector Major Fr. Attard, “but a real act of entrustment to our Mother.”

Earlier, as a memento of GC29, the Rector Major, Fr. Attard, personally distributed a commemorative medallion to each member of the General Chapter. It featured the image of Mama Margaret offering food to a hungry boy who had come to Valdocco—a touching reminder that our passion for Christ is deeply connected to the holistic development of young people, physically and spiritually.

One of the new Rector Major’s first initiatives is expected to reflect devotion to Mary Help of Christians as a charismatic expression of Salesian spirituality, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Fr. Egidio Viganò.

Courtesy: www.donboscosouthasia.org/