(ANS – Lima – September 21, 2026) – A meeting attended by 18 Salesians involved in formation in the Interamerica Region concluded on September 18 at the Laura Vicuña Retreat House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Chaclacayo, Lima. Over the course of four days, participants explored 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 Delegate, and attended by Fr. Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation, who led reflections on the new Ratio, presented as “the voice and path of the Congregation.”

One of the key points was recognizing that the new Ratio is not merely a regulatory document. Its development resulted from a lengthy process within the Congregation involving listening, consultation, study, and discernment. The process gathered thousands of contributions from communities, groups, and individuals around the world, culminating in its final draft.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Fr. Roggia encouraged participants to address new formation challenges creatively.

“Anything is possible. Trying something new is positive, provided you use a bit of common sense,” he emphasized. He also invited participants “to consider new paths that might previously have seemed impossible, given the profound changes that young people, society, and the Congregation itself are currently experiencing.”

During the closing Eucharist, the General Councillor highlighted one of the cornerstones of the new edition: recognizing and firmly upholding the Preventive System as the guiding principle of all Salesian formation.

The word “principle” refers to a starting point. From this perspective, the Preventive System is not merely 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 with “one heart and one soul.”

The reflections throughout the meeting also served as a reminder that formation is lifelong. It does not end with the novitiate, post-novitiate, practical training, or theological studies, but accompanies the entire life of a Salesian of Don Bosco.

A significant part of the meeting involved group work, bringing the guidelines of the Ratio into dialogue with the realities of the Interamerica provinces. The regional assessment highlighted extensive experience in interprovincial collaboration, particularly in novitiates, post-novitiates, and theological centers. However, this wealth of experience requires greater coordination, continuity, and shared criteria.

Among the priority challenges identified were the preparation of formators, directors, and mentors; the structure and unity of formation processes; psychological vulnerability and human, emotional, and sexual maturity; and formation in the digital and virtual worlds, including social media and artificial intelligence.

The work went beyond diagnosis. The groups began defining objectives, processes, and concrete measures, including regional programs for formators and rectors, a culture of accompaniment and discernment, meaningful pastoral experiences with poor and vulnerable young people, greater intercultural integration, and systematic proposals for ongoing formation.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, participants were given a fundamental task: to know the Ratio, make it their own, share it, and, above all, live it out.

As Fr. Roggia emphasized, the real challenge begins now. He reiterated, “It is important to ensure that the Ratio ceases to be merely a book and becomes a way of life and a formation journey for every Salesian and every community.”

The meeting proved to be a valuable experience of unity and broad collaboration. On the final day, in addition to in-depth discussions on topics presented by Fr. Jorge Escobar, Regional Formation Coordinator, and the General Councillor for Formation, participants also heard presentations on proposals from the formation centers in Berkeley and Quito.

Fr. Alejandro Rodríguez, from the Berkeley center, presented the various formation initiatives being developed, the results achieved in recent years, and the services offered to both Salesians and laypeople, contributing to ongoing formation processes.

For his part, Fr. Walter Jara, from the Salesian center in Quito, presented initiatives and programs developed in recent years, along with the guiding principles and working criteria that support its formation program.

Both presentations provided a clearer understanding of the resources available to the Region and opportunities for collaboration in support of Salesian formation.