(ANS – Rome – November 9, 2026) – “Let us communicate who we are.” This core idea framed the presentation given by Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, a former director of the Holy See Press Office, during an event titled “A Practical Exercise in Communion with the SDB General Council.” The gathering, held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Salesian Headquarters in Rome, was attended by approximately 100 Salesian confreres currently pursuing their studies in the city.
Fr. Lombardi shared insights from his experience within the Society of Jesus and his work in Vatican communications, having served alongside Popes St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
The initiative, promoted by Fr. Silvio Roggia, General Councilor for Formation, is part of an ongoing effort to disseminate and explore the new Ratio (the Salesian formation document). The meeting opened with a welcome from the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, and was moderated by Fr. Guido Errico, Superior of the UPS Visitatoria and a former collaborator with the Department for Formation. The event was carefully organized by the young confreres.
The Heart of the Message: Witness and Radicality
In his address, the renowned Jesuit explored the inseparable link between formation and witness. While acknowledging the value of professional skills and technical tools, Fr. Lombardi emphasized that the most profound means of communication remains the very life of the consecrated person.
“Seeking God is the best preparation,” he reiterated, underscoring that keeping the Lord at the center is the cornerstone of religious life. This centrality, he explained, must translate into the evangelical radicalism of the vows, lived out as a true imitation of Christ, in a spirit of service, and through the integration of spiritual life and apostolate.
A key point focused on community life, understood not merely as a logistical choice but as an integral part of the mission itself. In a multicultural context, consecrated persons are called to be witnesses to universal communion, overcoming any tendency toward individualism.
In conclusion, Fr. Lombardi highlighted the urgent need for an educational commitment to young people, quoting St. John Paul II: “The future of the world and of the Church depends on your passion for education.”
Sharing and Fraternity
The second part of the morning was dedicated to group discussions, during which participants and members of the General Council had the opportunity to engage with one another in an atmosphere of open and fraternal dialogue.
The highlight of the gathering was the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Stefano Martoglio.
The day concluded in an atmosphere of serene fraternity with a communal lunch and, for many participants, a visit to the Don Bosco Museum, located at the Sacred Heart Headquarters.