(ANS – Rome) – The Salesians 2025 project, produced by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation, is a rich and engaging video documentary that offers a panoramic view of the life and mission of the Salesians around the world. More than a report, it is a carefully crafted visual narrative that captures stories, events, faces, and experiences, allowing viewers to enter into the heart of the Salesian reality.
Structured in three interconnected parts, the documentary brings together an impressive 267 news items from across the globe, presented in a dynamic and accessible format. Each section offers a broad yet cohesive synthesis of the Congregation’s journey throughout the year.
- Part I includes 78 news items and runs for 35 minutes.
- Part II presents 95 news items over 36 minutes.
- Part III brings together 94 news items in a 37-minute segment.
Together, the three parts form a comprehensive audiovisual chronicle that reflects the vitality, diversity, and missionary breadth of the Salesian world.
The complete documentary is now available on the ANS YouTube Channel in five languages—English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguesey French—making it accessible to a truly global audience.
Part One: The Heart of the Congregation – Identity, Leadership, and Spiritual Life
The first part of the documentary takes viewers to the heart of the Congregación Salesiana, presenting the key moments that shape its identity and direction. Central to this section is the 29th General Chapter in Valdocco, where Salesians from around the world gather in an atmosphere of prayer, discernment, and fraternity. Through powerful visuals and moments of encounter, viewers witness a Congregation united in its mission and renewed in its commitment to young people.
This section also highlights the animation visits of the Rector Major across various countries, offering glimpses of vibrant communities, encounters with young people, and celebrations of significant milestones. Important events such as the canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti and the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition are presented not only as historical milestones but as living expressions of holiness and missionary zeal.
Through scenes of formation programs, jubilees, and gatherings of the Salesian Family, viewers perceive a strong sense of communion and continuity. The Jubilee Year 2025 provides a unifying backdrop, showing Salesians and young people participating in the wider journey of the Church. This first part highlights the spiritual depth, global unity, and leadership of the Salesian world.
Part Two: Young People at the Center – The Living Experience of the Mission
The second part shifts the focus directly to young people, placing them at the center of the narrative. Here, the documentary becomes especially vibrant and dynamic, filled with scenes of youth gatherings, camps, celebrations, and moments of prayer. Across continents, viewers encounter young people who are growing, discovering their talents, and taking on leadership roles within their communities.
These images clearly show that young people are not passive recipients but active protagonists of the mission. The documentary captures their energy, creativity, and faith, demonstrating how the Salesian environment allows them to flourish. Events of the Salesian Youth Movement, leadership programs, and missionary experiences highlight a pedagogy that is both engaging and transformative.
Special attention is given to sports, music, art, and theater, which come alive on screen as powerful tools of education and evangelization. These scenes reveal the joy and relational style that characterize the Salesian approach, rooted in Don Bosco’s Preventive System. This section allows viewers to experience firsthand how the mission is lived daily, forming young people holistically and inspiring them to become agents of hope in society.
Part Three: Expansion, Impact, and Solidarity – A Mission Without Borders
The third part broadens the horizon, presenting the global reach and impact of the Salesian mission. Through images of newly inaugurated centers, schools, and missions, viewers see a Congregation that continues to expand and respond to emerging needs. These new initiatives are concrete signs of a living charism that continually seeks new ways to serve young people.
The documentary also highlights worldwide celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition, demonstrating how this historic event continues to inspire missionary commitment today. At the same time, scenes of ecological initiatives reflect a growing awareness of care for creation, involving young people in building a more sustainable future.
Particularly moving are the segments dedicated to moments of solidarity. In situations of natural disasters, conflict, and social crises, the documentary shows Salesians and collaborators reaching out to those in need with compassion and practical support. These images powerfully communicate a mission that is not only active but deeply human and responsive to suffering.
Recognition and awards received by Salesian institutions are also highlighted, reinforcing the credibility and impact of their work. This final section leaves viewers with a strong impression of a mission that is both globally expansive and deeply rooted in service to the most vulnerable.
A Living Chronicle of the Salesian Mission
Taken as a whole, Salesians 2025 is a compelling visual testimony of a charism that continues to transform lives around the world. Moving from the heart of the Congregation to the lived experiences of young people, and finally to the global impact of the mission, the documentary offers a complete and inspiring picture of the Salesian reality today.
More than informing, it invites viewers to see, feel, and understand the immense good carried out every day by Salesians, members of the Salesian Family, collaborators, and benefactors. It demonstrates that Don Bosco’s dream is not a story of the past, but a living reality that continues to grow, adapt, and bear fruit.
This documentary testifies that across more than 136 countries—through schools, parishes, youth centers, missions, refugee camps, vocational institutes, sports fields, and digital platforms—the Salesian mission continues to thrive as a vibrant, global, and concrete response to the needs of today’s young people.