(ANS – Guadalajara) – As part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the Salesian School in America (ESA, in Spanish), the 5th ESA Continental Meeting was held from 1 to 5 May at the Anáhuac Chapalita Institute in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco, Mexico, under the motto: “Together for the present and future of Salesian education”.

The event was attended by around 237 people from 47 Provinces – including the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (HHSSCC), and the Daughters of the Divine Saviour (HDS) – along with members of the central organizational team and some special guests.

During the opening ceremony, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Mother General of the FMA, encouraged everyone to “strengthen educational leadership committed to the integral formation of today’s young people,” as well as to “dialogue with the different situations and prepare ourselves as educators to face the new existential landscape.” She stressed that ESA is a source of inspiration and an impetus for the Salesian school on the continent and assured her listeners that “we continue to respond together with passion in the educational mission.”

Fr Miguel Ángel García Morcuende, SDB General Councillor for Youth Ministry, commented that it is necessary to create educational systems adapted to new youth circumstances: “It is not the young people who have to change, but it is the school  that must change!” He also said that it is essential to be and recognize ourselves as “Catholic schools, places of learning for life and evangelization, and Salesian schools, that is, inclusive, close and innovative spaces.”

Welcoming those present, Sister María del Socorro Hernández, Superior of the FMA Province of Mexico-Monterrey (MMO), encouraged everyone to continue to make a significant contribution to education: “Let us continue together to build the history of the Salesian school in America.”

Fr Filiberto González, Superior of the SDB Province of Mexico-Guadalajara (MEG), in the current context of crisis and violence in Latin America, stressed the urgent need to apply the premise of Don Bosco to “prevent and not repress” in order to promote educational spaces that collaborate to “build a more humane, just and fraternal society, where people can live in peace.” Cardinal José Francisco Robles, Archbishop of Guadalajara, told the participants that he recognizes and appreciates the presence of the Salesian charism in the Church and the many fruits it has brought to young people around the world.

Subsequently, the General Councillors and Provincials, both SDB and FMA, cut the opening ribbon at the event.

During the meeting, several presentations, conferences, round tables, discussions, and thematic groups were held, in which the following topics were explored: relational confidence to transform the school; youth culture and education; Salesian identity and the Global Educational Pact; the Salesian significance model; the experiences of the Preventive System; educommunication as media and information literacy; and pedagogical leadership in Salesian schools in America. These topics, together with informal exchanges and discussions in groups and assemblies, contributed to the reflection of each of the participating educators.

Among the speakers, it is worth noting, in particular Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB, Archbishop Emeritus of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Dr. José Weinstein; Drs Ignacio Aguaded, Alexandre Le Voci Sayad and Sister Marcia Koffermann, FMA; Fr Hugo Orozco, SDB, Councillor for the Interamerica Region; Sister Patricia Parraguez, FMA; Sister Runita Galve Borja, General Councillor for Youth Ministry FMA; and Sister Piera Ruffinatto, FMA.

A solemn Eucharist was celebrated to conclude the meeting, presided over by Fr García Morcuende and concelebrated by 5 Salesians, including Fr Orozco. Participants in ESA 5  were given a mission in the celebration so that with what they have learned, they can serve and love the children, adolescents, and young people in their works and communities.

The working days ended in the characteristic Salesian style with a time of fraternal agape in the Mexican tradition, with folk dances, mariachi music, and fireworks. In addition, a cultural day was held on Sunday, 5 May, and participants took a community trip to Tequila, also in the State of Jalisco.