(ANS – San Pedro Carchá) – As part of the Salesian Family World Advisory Council currently taking place at Valdocco in Turin, the Sisters of the Resurrection (Hermanas de la Resurrección – HR), the 22nd group of the Salesian Family, shared their testimony on the Preventive System.

What is the level of knowledge of the Preventive System within your group?

Overall, the level of knowledge of the Preventive System ranges from basic to intermediate, although some communities have developed a deeper and more practical understanding of its principles. Most members have become familiar with the Preventive System through workshops, formation programs, reflection sessions, morning and afternoon meetings, as well as through everyday life and accompanying young people.

The congregation recognizes that the Preventive System guides educators in accompanying young people and helping them discover meaning in their lives through formation rooted in reason, loving-kindness, and religion. Likewise, closeness, attentive listening, and appropriate accompaniment are valued as essential elements of this educational approach.

Although some newly hired staff members are still developing their understanding of the Preventive System, there is a strong willingness to deepen that knowledge through reading, study, and reflection on Salesian documents and lived experiences that strengthen both understanding and practical application.

Is it considered not only an educational practice but also a source of spiritual life?

Yes. The Preventive System is viewed not only as an educational practice but also as an authentic source of spiritual life. More than simply a teaching method, it is embraced as a way of life inspired by the example of St. John Bosco.

The Preventive System helps members live the Gospel through closeness, respect, joy, accompaniment, and fraternity, fostering a deeper relationship with God and with others. It also encourages every action to be carried out with love, dedication, and a strong missionary spirit, promoting both human and spiritual growth.

The congregation also recognizes that the Preventive System forms young people into good Christians and honest citizens by placing God at the center of daily life and helping educators recognize His presence in young people and in everyday experiences.

In your work of animation and leadership, what concrete impact does the Preventive System have?

The Preventive System has a significant and positive impact on the way the congregation accompanies, leads, and serves young people and communities. It fosters an atmosphere of closeness, trust, fraternity, and shared responsibility, where individuals feel valued, heard, and loved.

It also strengthens institutional identity and teamwork by encouraging open, respectful, and committed communication. The Preventive System influences decision-making by promoting actions guided by reason, charity, and religion, helping prevent conflicts and strengthening peaceful community life.

Its influence extends beyond the institution into families and the broader community. Many people recognize in students and graduates the attitudes, values, and habits that reflect the formation they received. In this way, the Preventive System becomes a way of life that is carried into family, social, religious, and community settings, forming leaders, professionals, and citizens committed to human and Christian values.

In what situations is it most difficult to put the Preventive System into practice?

The greatest challenges arise during situations of tension, pressure, family conflict, or difficult work environments. At times, limited time, stress, or pressure to achieve results can shift the focus from people to tasks, making dialogue, patience, and a preventive approach more difficult.

It is also challenging when young people come from complex family situations, lack guidance, or are not engaged in spiritual formation, limiting their participation and integration.

Another significant challenge occurs when working with students from other religious traditions who do not identify with certain spiritual activities, making it more difficult to fully experience the third pillar of the Preventive System—religion.

The congregation also acknowledges that living the Preventive System becomes difficult whenever there is a lack of empathy, closeness, or genuine love toward young people or members of the community, especially when they do not feel truly loved and supported.

In times of difficulty, do you find in the Preventive System a guiding light for your actions?

Yes. The Preventive System is seen as a light and guide that directs actions during times of difficulty. More than a practical tool, it is understood as a way of life that inspires dialogue, accompaniment, understanding, respect, and hope.

During challenging moments, the Preventive System encourages educators to accompany young people with love, patience, and compassion while recognizing the diverse personal and family realities they face. It also promotes reflection and discernment by examining situations through the lens of reason, faith, and Christian values.

Reflection, collaboration, consensus, and shared experience help identify solutions that strengthen both personal relationships and community life. In this way, difficulties become opportunities for growth, learning, and openness to new possibilities, all lived in faith, hope, and charity.