By Jesús Jurado, SDB
(Editor’s note: This article was published in the Boletin Salisiano de Peru on September 18, 2026)
(Lima, Peru – September 18, 2026) – With the participation of 18 Salesians involved in formation in the Interamerica Region, the regional meeting concluded on September 18 at the Laura Vicuña Retreat House, operated by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Chaclacayo, Lima. Held from September 15–18, the four-day gathering focused on the challenges of Salesian formation, particularly the implementation of the new Ratio Fundamentalis.
The meeting was coordinated by Fr. Jorge Arley Escobar Arias, Regional Formation Coordinator, and included the participation of Fr. Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation, who accompanied the reflection on the new Ratio, presented as the “voice and path of the Congregation.”
The gathering was a valuable experience of unity and collaboration across the Region. Only Venezuela was absent due to travel difficulties. All other members of the Region were present to contribute, understand, and deepen their knowledge of the new Ratio. Among the participants was one Salesian Brother.
Participants
- Fr. Silvio Roggia — General Councillor for Formation – Italy
- Fr. Jorge Arley Escobar Arias — Colombia
- Fr. Walter Jara — Ecuador (Quito Formation Center)
- Fr. Rene Antonio Santos Gonzales — Central America
- Fr. Darío Ortiz — Ecuador
- Bro. Travis Gunther — United States
- Fr. Johny Alexander Arias Cadavid — Colombia
- Fr. Alejandro Rodríguez — United States (Berkeley Formation Center)
- Fr. Carlos Nabel García — Antilles
- Fr. Giuseppe Gallo — Bolivia
- Fr. Francisco Sánchez Carrion — Ecuador
- Fr. Oscar Olaño Ángel — Colombia (Bogotá)
- Fr. Edgar Enrique Velasquez Camelo — Colombia (Bogotá)
- Fr. Hugo Medrano Martínez — Mexico (Guadalajara)
- Fr. José Ernesto Sandoval López — Mexico (Guadalajara)
- Fr. José Antonio Hernández Valdez — Mexico (Mexico)
- Fr. José Kamza — Peru
- Fr. Jesús Jurado — Peru
Mexican Delegation
Colombian Delegation
Ecuadorian Delegation
Bolivian Delegation
The New Ratio: A Congregational Journey of Discernment
One of the key points highlighted during the meeting was the understanding that the new Ratio is not simply a regulatory document. Its development was the result of a lengthy Congregational process of listening, consultation, study, and discernment. The process gathered thousands of contributions from communities, groups, and individuals across the world before reaching its final form.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Fr. Roggia encouraged participants to approach new formation challenges with creativity:
“Everything is possible. Trying something new is good, with a little common sense.”
He also invited participants to “think of new paths that until now might have seemed impossible,” given the profound changes taking place among young people, in society, and within the Congregation itself.
During the concluding Eucharistic celebration, the General Councillor emphasized one of the foundations of the new edition: recognizing and firmly upholding the Preventive System as the inspiring principle of all Salesian formation.
The word “principle” means a starting point. From this perspective, the Preventive System is not simply a method for educating young people, but also the Salesian way of relating to, accompanying, and forming one another. Reason, religion, and loving-kindness therefore permeate the formation experience and help build communities capable of living as “one heart and one soul.”
The reflection during the gathering also recalled that formation is ongoing. It does not end with the novitiate, post-novitiate, practical training, or theological studies. Instead, it accompanies the Salesian of Don Bosco throughout his entire life.
Regional Challenges and Concrete Proposals
An important part of the meeting involved group work, during which participants discussed the guidelines of the Ratio in light of the realities of the Provinces of Interamerica. The regional assessment revealed extensive experience in interprovincial collaboration, particularly in novitiates, post-novitiates, and theological centers. However, this richness requires greater coordination, continuity, and shared criteria.
Among the prioritized challenges were the preparation of formators, directors, and those responsible for accompaniment; the coordination and unity of formation processes; psychological vulnerability and human, emotional, and sexual maturity; and formation for the digital and virtual world, social media, and artificial intelligence, among other areas.
The work went beyond assessment. The groups began developing concrete objectives, processes, and interventions, including regional formation programs for formators and directors, a culture of accompaniment and discernment, meaningful pastoral experiences with poor and vulnerable young people, greater intercultural integration, and systematic proposals for ongoing formation.
As the meeting concluded, a fundamental task emerged: to know the Ratio, make it one’s own, help others become familiar with it, and, above all, live it.
As Fr. Roggia emphasized, the real challenge begins now. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the Ratio “ceases to be simply a book and becomes the life and formative path of every Salesian and every community.”
Formation Centers in Berkeley and Quito
During the final day, participants continued exploring the topics presented by Fr. Jorge Escobar, Regional Formation Coordinator, and Fr. Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation. The meeting also featured presentations on the proposals from the Berkeley and Quito Formation Centers.
Berkeley Regional Formation Center
Central America and the Antilles
Ecuador Regional Formation Center
Fr. Alejandro Rodríguez, who is connected with the Berkeley Formation Center, presented the various formation programs they have been developing, the reach they have achieved in recent years, and the services they offer to both Salesians and laypeople, thereby contributing to ongoing formation processes.
For his part, Fr. Walter Jara, from the Salesian Formation Center in Quito, presented the initiatives and programs developed in recent years, along with the working guidelines and criteria that guide their formation proposal.
Both presentations provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the resources available throughout the Region and the possibilities for collaboration to strengthen Salesian formation.