(ANS – Vatican City) – El Monday, January 12, 2026, some of the highest authorities of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), together with representatives of their university institutions and the Holy See Dicastery responsible for culture and education, met at the Vatican for a time of listening and shared reflection on the meaning and future prospects of the Salesian educational mission in today’s context. The meeting was chaired by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Representing the Salesian Family were the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, SDB, and the Vicar of the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. María del Rosario García Ribas. They were joined by the leaders of the two main university institutions of the Salesian Family: for the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), the Rector Magnificus, Fr. Andrea Bozzolo, along with the Dean of the UPS educational area, Fr. Antonio Dellagiulia, SDB; and for the FMA university sector, the Dean of the “Auxilium” Faculty, Sr. Piera Ruffinatto, accompanied by the Vice Dean, Sr. Martha Séïde. Also present were the two General Councilors for Youth Ministry: for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Runita Borja; and for the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Rafael Bejarano.

The discussion centered on the educational and charismatic mission that the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians carry out together, especially in the areas of higher education, schools, and vocational training centers. There was a shared awareness that this mission flows from the charism received from St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello, and that it continues to be preferentially oriented toward serving the poorest and most vulnerable boys and girls.

Participants acknowledged that one of the principal challenges of the present time is to preserve the Salesian charism faithfully, without losing its prophetic strength, while at the same time carefully fostering the institutional dimension of educational and academic works. This attention is essential to ensure the quality of educational programs and to sustain a credible and fruitful dialogue with the cultural, social, and ecclesial realities of the various countries and continents where the Salesian Family is present.

In the dialogue with Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, it was emphasized that Salesian educational institutions, particularly universities, are called to contribute to the integral development of the human person and to the transformation of culture, promoting a vision inspired by the Gospel and oriented toward building the Kingdom of God. Education lived in the Salesian style was recognized as a privileged space for the encounter between faith and culture, capable of generating hope, social responsibility, and commitment to the common good.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue strengthening collaboration among the various Salesian realities, building on existing synergies and enhancing their common educational and charismatic heritage, so that universities, schools, and formation works may respond with renewed creativity to the challenges of the contemporary world, while remaining faithful to their origins and to their mission in the service of young people.