(ANS – Sacrofano) – As part of the World Congress of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) taking place in Sacrofano, May 8 was dedicated to examining the state of the Association, reflecting on the journey it has taken over the past 150 years, and looking ahead to its future.

The morning began with an address by Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who focused on the feminine expression of the Salesian charism. She reflected on the relationship and complementarity between John Bosco and Maria Domenica Mazzarello, highlighting key characteristics of Mother Mazzarello’s spirituality and mission.

Through her reflections, Mother Chiara emphasized that the Salesian charism reaches its fullness only when the feminine and masculine dimensions work together harmoniously within a dynamic of reciprocity. There is a mutual giving and receiving that enriches and strengthens projects and energies directed toward the common good. Being witnesses and bearers of the charism requires working together, building networks, and fostering full collaboration. In this light, the Mother General described the Congress as a valuable opportunity for renewing the Salesian vocation and mission through reciprocity.

Her presentation was followed by a brief panel discussion featuring global representatives of the Salesian Family groups: Bryan Magro, Olivia Furlan, Guido Pedroni, and Margherita Fiorito, moderated by the World Coordinator, Antonio Boccia. One particularly moving moment came when Antonio Boccia’s grandchildren surprised participants by presenting commemorative plaques.

The morning continued with an address by Antonio Boccia, who offered an overview of the Association’s current reality from the perspective of the World Council. He explained that the journey began in 2018 centered on two clear objectives: fostering greater awareness of the vocation of Salesian Cooperators and increasing the visibility of the Association.

Boccia described the story of a community of brothers and sisters who sought to guide the Association through a complex period, grounding their work in five fundamental pillars:

• Walking alongside young people
• Being credible and joyful witnesses of the vocation, carrying out projects of hope, faith, and life with and for young people
• Adopting four key operational principles: communion in diversity; embracing the shared mission as a vocational proposal; committing to Christ-centered formation lived in communion with the entire Salesian Family; and growing in solidarity-based autonomy
• Upholding non-negotiable values: fidelity to the charism, a strong sense of belonging, family spirit, and shared responsibility
• Promoting processes of conversion that foster growth through deep spirituality, internalizing the PAL, stepping beyond one’s “comfort zone” to reach the existential peripheries, and building strong communities of reference

The report also reflected on the difficulties and resilience experienced during the pandemic. While many planned projects and meetings appeared to come to a halt, the period also revealed the Association’s vitality and adaptability. During that time, the Association found new ways to engage the world, particularly through the “Maiorano” project, which funded micro-projects in areas most affected by the pandemic.

The presentation included moments highlighting the many individuals who collaborated over the past eight years, demonstrating a spirit of teamwork and family unity rooted in a shared passion for young people.

Concluding his address, Boccia reflected on both the strengths and weaknesses of the Association and shared dreams for the future—dreams entrusted to the next World Coordinator. Above all, he reminded participants:

“Dreams dreamed alone remain illusions; dreams dreamed together become reality.”

To give concrete expression to this shared dreaming, participants gathered in regional working groups during the afternoon. Building on the reflections of the morning, they identified both the unresolved challenges of the previous term and the new opportunities calling the Association to become a leaven within the Salesian Family and among young people and families.

The day concluded with the moving celebration of the Via Lucis, an itinerant prayer experience offered with the hope that it would become a path of faith, bringing the joy of the Risen Christ into daily life wherever the Lord calls.