(ANS – Rome) – In his “goodnight” to the Sacred Heart community on Monday, July 21, 2026, Fr. Joan Lluis Playà, the Rector Major’s Delegate for the Salesian Family, reflected on the path of Animation and Accompaniment (A+A) within the Salesian Family, drawing inspiration from the presentation of the fifth edition of the Ratio.

The Starting Point: The Good Shepherd

Fr. Playà recounted that, during the presentation of the new volume, he contemplated the painting of the Good Shepherd that presides over the apse of the chapel. In the image, one hand supports the lost sheep while the other offers the Book of the Word, recalling the verse “Ut filios Dei qui erant dispersi congregaret in unum” (Jn 11:52). This image inspired a reflection on the mission to “gather into one” all those who, scattered throughout the world, feel called to entrust their lives to the Kingdom of Christ.

The “Animation and Accompaniment” Booklet

The Delegate presented the work carried out by the Secretariat of the Salesian Family: a booklet titled “Animation and Accompaniment in the Salesian Family” (A+A), with the subtitle, “Walking Together to Be More of a Prophecy and a Gift to the Church… for the Young and the Poor of the World.”

This resource addresses several practical needs, including:

• Overcoming existing shortcomings.
• Providing formation for delegates and those involved in the service of Animation and Accompaniment within the Salesian Family.
• Encouraging a deeper understanding of the Charismatic Identity Charter of the Salesian Family.
• Promoting the challenge of walking together while growing in a sense of belonging and the spirit of communion.
• Helping broaden the culture of the Salesian Family.

Fr. Playà candidly highlighted several challenges observed over the years in accompanying the Salesian Family, including a tendency to overlook Don Bosco’s charismatic vision, a lack of mutual understanding of the deeper identity of the various Groups, and the need to place greater emphasis on the Charismatic Identity Charter—for example, by presenting it alongside the Constitutions at the time of first profession.

He clarified, however, that these observations were not intended as criticism, but rather as an invitation to “walk together, convinced that we are bearers of a prophecy” to be offered to young people, the Church, and the world.

The Richness of the Salesian Family

Despite these challenges, the Delegate emphasized the many strengths present within the Salesian Family, including the vitality of its Groups, the richness of its charisms—including religious, consecrated laypeople, lay associations, and movements—the shared mission among the poorest, and the spirit of holiness that characterizes the Family’s spirituality.

The evening prayer concluded with a prayer to St. John Bosco, asking that all members of the Salesian Family be granted “a heart full of goodness, perseverance in work, wisdom in discernment, courage to bear witness to the spirit of the Church, and missionary generosity.”