(ANS – Roma) – On Saturday, February 7, the first online meeting was held for young Salesian volunteers committed to spreading and implementing the new Ratio through language and formats appropriate to their generation. This initiative follows a twofold approach: on the one hand, to facilitate understanding of the text; on the other, to encourage an attitude of welcome and response by sharing reflections, ideas, and insights inspired by the formation process outlined in the Ratio.

The first online meeting, held on Saturday, brought together about one hundred participants from the eight Salesian Regions around the world. Various subgroups were formed according to interests and skills (podcasts, videos, reels, infographics), and together they defined objectives, criteria, initial deadlines, and strategies for maintaining interaction and communication. The group is developing a platform called Hyper-Ratio, designed to share ideas and exchange produced materials, which will later be made accessible to communities.

The cooperation and involvement of young people are already part of the history of the document. A key foundation of the new edition lies in the 2017 survey on accompaniment, which involved more than 4,000 young Salesians and whose results were incorporated into the text. Once again, young SDBs played an active role in 2021 through questionnaires on Salesian formation addressed to confreres, groups, communities, and ECPs. In particular, spontaneous groups known as “70 x 7” were established in each Region; their online meetings brought to light important elements for the new text.

One representative from each Region—a confrere in one of the early stages of Initial Formation—was also part of the first workshop that gathered 28 Salesians from all Regions at the Sacred Heart (November 15–28, 2021). This workshop generated the core content and outlines from which the rewriting of the document began.

During Saturday’s meeting, it was immediately evident how naturally young Salesians connect with one another, with linguistic differences becoming easier to overcome thanks to today’s technologies. This harmony is even stronger and more immediate on the social media platforms they regularly use.

This is a sign of hope, showing that amid generational change and the ongoing transformation of communication within the digital environment—and the resulting international and intercultural openness—the charismatic treasure that unites us continues to find new ways to express itself and engage us, not only as recipients but as protagonists. This first step is therefore an invitation to other young Salesians who may wish to join the Hyper-Ratio Catalyst Group.

To facilitate gradual understanding and assimilation of the first five chapters of the new document, the Central Office will release materials beginning in early March (Chapter 1), May (Chapter 2), July (Chapter 3), September (Chapter 4), and November (Chapter 5). These will include a video interview and additional resources. This initial section of the document (approximately 60 pages) presents themes and guiding principles intended to support each confrere and community in responding to the Salesian vocation and mission today.

There is full harmony between what is written in the Ratio and what is expressed in the final document of GC29. These bimonthly resources will serve as inspiration for dialogue and proposals from young SDBs, which will in turn be shared on the platform currently being developed.

Those interested—either individually or as a community—in receiving the bimonthly materials may indicate their interest at the following link: MATERIALI BIMESTRALI RATIO.