【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2025 年02月17 日意大利都靈訊】 ─ 2 月 16 日（星期日）下午六時十五分，大會主持人Alphonse Owoudou 神父在華道角母院宣佈，第 29 屆慈幼會全會代表大會（GC29）正式開幕。全球慈幼會的230位省會長及會省代表齊集一堂，重溫鮑思高神父的慈幼神恩，大會主題是：「對耶穌基督充滿熱情，委身服務青年」。
大廳中的一系列演講，展示了慈幼會會士如何透過在各會省的艱苦工作，成功地集中關注這時代的中心主題。大會主席馬道力（Stefano Martoglio）神父以激動的語氣表達了大會肩負的重大責任：「重新設計修會的各個層面。」他強調，當今的修道和奉獻生活面臨一個特殊的挑戰：「真正先知性的見證」。
鮑思高神子們現在生活的挑戰越來越大：新的貧困形式不斷出現，樸實勤勞的人民發出了迫切的求助。「我們必須允許自己感到震驚，不要等閒視之，並做出個人和機構的回應，」馬道力神父敦促道。 「這是由教宗方濟各引領的整個教會的路向。」
鮑思高神父先知性的呼喚
都靈主教Roberto Repole樞機在下午早些時候於聖母進教之佑大殿舉行的開幕感恩祭講道中，表示這個先知性的召叫早已在預料之中。他肯定地說：「這不是為了解決一項組織性的任務，而是為了體現教會的使命：將基督的目光投向世界和人類，直言不諱地揭露不公義。只有祂才能戰勝不公義和壓迫。」
市長的致候
都靈市長Stefano Lo Russo代表全體市民向與會者致以問候，並表達了他的願望：「我相信，你們在討論中將得到重要的答案——這不僅對慈幼會有意義，而且對我們所有從事公共服務的人都有重要意義。」
修會領袖的鼓勵
聖座獻身生活及使徒生活團部長Simona Brambilla修女（范達民樞機亦被任命在同一部門服務），不僅致以問候，還分享了受門徒前往厄瑪烏之旅的經歷所啟發的鼓勵：「這條路將帶我們遠離耶路撒冷，遠離十字架上痛苦而沉重的經歷。但在與耶穌相遇之後，我們看到了回歸，即使是在黑夜中，也無所畏懼地走向社區、走向生活。」
聖母進教之佑孝女會（母佑會）總會長賈素娜修女強調：「神恩的未來掌握在我們每個人的手中，尤其是掌握在你們這些來自全球各地慈幼會代表的手中。這是一個充滿恩典和共融的大會。它有潛能為年輕一代的日常生活注入力量，並確保他們擁有更光明的未來。」
保存鮑思高神父的心火
聖鮑思高慈幼協進會全球總幹事Antonio Boccia向與會者發出了明確而直接的邀請：「加強你們的內在素質，發現改進的機會：你們的責任是維護鮑思高神父的魅力之火，這種魅力深深紮根於團結整個慈幼家庭的神恩團體中。」
Passionate about Jesus Christ, Dedicated to the Young: The 29th General Chapter Opens in Valdocco
(ANS – Italy–Turin, 17 February 2025) – The official proclamation of the opening of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) was entrusted to Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, the Chapter Moderator, at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, in the theater of the Mother House at Valdocco. With this formal act, the gathering of 230 provincials and delegates of the Society of St. Francis de Sales commenced meaningfully, united in their mission to nurture Don Bosco’s charism, encapsulated in the theme: “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young.”
The sequence of interventions in the hall demonstrated how the Salesians, through painstaking work in their individual provinces, have succeeded in focusing on the central theme of this time. Fr. Stefano Martoglio, President of the Chapter, expressed with an emotional tone the profound responsibility entrusted to the assembly: “to redesign the Congregation at all levels.” He emphasized that religious and consecrated life today is characterized by a specific challenge: “an authentic prophecy.”
The Sons of Don Bosco live in a present where challenges are ever greater: new forms of poverty are emerging, and a pressing cry for help arises from simple and hardworking people. “We must allow ourselves to be shaken, not remain complacent, and provide both personal and institutional responses,” Fr. Martoglio urged. “This is the path of the entire Church, guided by Pope Francis.”
The Prophetic Call of Don Bosco
This prophetic call was anticipated by Cardinal Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, during the homily shared in the Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, held in the early afternoon. He affirmed: “It is not about addressing an organizational task, but about embodying the mission of the Church: to bring the gaze of Christ to the world and humanity, calling injustices by their name. Only He can overcome injustice and oppression.”
The City’s Greeting
The Mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, bringing the city’s greetings, expressed his wish: “I trust that the reflections which will occupy your time may bring forth important answers—not only for the Salesian mission but also for all of us engaged in public service.”
Encouragement from Religious Leaders
Sr. Simona Brambilla, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (the same office where Cardinal Artime has been called to serve), not only brought greetings but also shared encouragement inspired by the experience of the disciples’ journey to Emmaus: “The road takes us far from Jerusalem, from the painful and burdensome experience of the Cross. But after the encounter with Jesus, we see the return, even in the night, but without fear, toward the community and toward life.”
Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), emphasized: “The future of the charism is in the hands of each one of us, but especially in your hands, as the world-wide Chapter assembly of the Salesians. This is an event of grace and synodality. It has the potential to radiate strength into the daily lives of younger generations and secure them a brighter future.”
Preserving the Flame of Don Bosco’s Charism
Antonio Boccia, World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, gave the Chapter participants a clear and direct invitation: “Strengthen your interiority, discover opportunities for improvement: it is your duty to preserve the flame of Don Bosco’s charism, deeply rooted in the spiritual community that unites the entire Salesian Family.”