【慈幼通訊社
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2014
年
11
月
17
日羅馬慈幼總部訊】
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鮑思高神誕生二百周年國際性歷史會議，於11月19日（星期三）揭幕。大會主題為「截至二十世紀中葉鮑思高神父神恩的發展狀況」。逾230名與會者，將齊集羅馬慈幼賓館，他們包括慈幼會士、母佑會修女及慈幼大家庭成員。
母佑會歷史研究者Grazia Loparco修女表示：「鮑思高神父本身，是我們理解他神恩發展的關鍵要素，正如種子預示樹木的成長一樣。然而這次大會，將要跨越他本人的生平歷史。」大會為鮑思高神父誕生二百周年的重要國際性活動之一。
大會期間有關神恩發展方面的討論，只能根據神恩目前的發展狀況。因此，在開幕日的祈禱及致候禮進行後，發表了一篇有關「今日世界慈幼神恩」的論文，闡述相關的內容及所遇到的挑戰。
隨後三天，於早上舉行九場基礎演說，並於下午進行三十八場傳意小組討論。這些演說及討論，在鮑思高神父誕生二周年三年期準備工夫的框架下進行。每一天都有特定的主題：
星期四發表一項歷史報告，勾劃出所研究的歷史時期中，主要的國際發展狀況，尤其專注於直接影響著低層及中層的青年，或受神恩所觸動的青年的議題。
星期五集中於慈幼會士的教育工作，按照預防教育法檢視教育政策。
星期六專注於神修及傳揚慈幼精神，尤其是慈幼聖德的典範，以及神恩的福傳幅度。
星期日為大會的尾聲，與會者於早上就鮑思高神恩進行反省，從梵二時代開始，直至將來的發展，並與過去的事件聯繫一起，以了解過去一些影響著慈幼團體的決策，如何促成了團體今天的表現。
除了反省活動外，還包括贈送書本環節，這些書本包括「慈幼資料出處」、「鮑思高神父信函」及「慈幼歷史學 ─ 梵二後的研究及文獻」。此外還有神修上的反省及分享環節。
根據Loparco修女所說，「大會所發表慈幼歷史的一些篇章，不僅具學術方面理性或文化的價值，卻更進一步跨越，從而發展出一個解讀圈子，讓所有參與者成為這活生生歷史中的一部份。」
All Set for the Bicentenary International Historical Congress
(ANS - RMG –Roma, 17 November 2014) – The International Historical Congress for the Bicentenary opens next Wednesday 19 November. The theme of the congress will be "Development of the charism of Don Bosco until the mid-twentieth century." More than 230 participants are expected at the Salesianum in Rome, including Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and members of the Salesian Family.
"Don Bosco is the essential key for understanding the development of his charism, like a seed that heralds the growth of the tree. However, in this Congress we will go beyond his own lifestory," says Sr. Grazia Loparco FMA, a historical researcher. This is one of the major international events of the Bicentenary Year of Don Bosco.
During the Congress, the development of the charism can be understood only from a consideration of the current state of the charism. For that reason, on the opening day, after prayer and the initial greetings, there will be a paper on "The Salesian charism in today's world", its relevance and the challenges it faces.
On the next three days there will be nine basic lectures in the morning and thirty-eight communication groups in the afternoon. They will follow the structure of the three years of preparation for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco. Each of these three days will focus on a specific aspect:
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On the Thursday, a historical report will outline the main international developments in the period examined, with attention to the issues that most directly affect the young people of the lower and middle classes or young people touched by the charism.
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On Friday the focus will be on the educative work of the Salesians, examining educational policies in the light of the preventive system.
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Saturday will be dedicated to spirituality and the spread of the Salesian spirit. Attention will be paid to the Salesian model of holiness and the missionary dimension of the charism.
At the end of the Congress, on the Sunday morning there will be a reflection on the future of the charism of Don Bosco starting from the Second Vatican Council, linking with the immediate past in order to understand the decisions that affected the Salesian communities, causing them to become what they are today.
The programme also includes the presentation of some books: “Salesian Sources," "Letters of Don Bosco," "Salesian Historiography - studies and documents in the post-conciliar period." There will also be time for reflection and sharing on themes of spirituality.
According to Sr Loparco, "The presentation of several pages of Salesian history in this Congress is not just of intellectual or cultural value in the academic sense. It goes beyond that by starting a hermeneutic circle that involves every participant as a living part of this story."