Following their participation in the 6th World Congress of Salesian Cooperators, held from May 7 to 10, 2026, in Rome, Italy, the Brazil Region organized an online formation session on June 26 to share the main reflections, experiences, and commitments undertaken during the international gathering. The session included the testimonies of the young Salesian Cooperators Bruna Gusmão, from the São Paulo Province, and Camila Brandão, from the Porto Alegre Province, who represented Brazilian youth at the Congress.

The 6th World Congress brought together approximately 400 participants, including Salesian Cooperators, members of ADMA, Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). The delegation from the Brazil Region consisted of 25 members, including coordinators, councilors, and delegates.

During the online formation session, SC Bruna and SC Camila presented the main reflections from the Congress, whose theme was “To Be Leaven in Order to Be Fruitful.” The program was structured in four stages—Looking Back, Looking Within, Looking Outward, and Looking Ahead—deepening the journey undertaken by the Association in recent years through the words Remember, Renew, and Relaunch.

Bruna highlighted her own journey as a fruit of Salesian social work and emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young people. According to her, the Salesian Cooperator is called to be a transformative presence, acting like leaven in dough: discreetly, yet capable of bringing about profound changes in society by bearing witness to the Gospel and to Don Bosco’s charism.

Speaking about the future, SC Bruna also stressed the need to value the history of the Association and to learn from more experienced Salesian Cooperators, recognizing that their journey strengthens the mission of the new generations.

Among the commitments identified by the Congress to make this presence fruitful, four priorities stand out: accompanying young people and strengthening their active participation and leadership; supporting families; caring for the elderly with dignity and tenderness; and bearing witness to the Gospel through an active Christian presence in society.

SC Camila Brandão shared one of the most striking images from the gathering: “Many Salesian Cooperators want to be the cake, but the cake is the young people; we are the leaven.” The comparison reinforces the idea that the Cooperator’s mission is not to occupy the center, but to encourage, accompany, and create the conditions for young people themselves to become protagonists in the Church and in society.

Another point emphasized was the commitment to the future of the Association. According to SC Camila, today’s Salesian Cooperators are responsible for preserving and passing on the history of the charism to future generations, also making use of present-day resources and technologies.

The formation session concluded with an activity inviting participants to relate everyday objects to the Salesian mission, followed by the joint proclamation of the Congress theme, renewing the commitment to live the Salesian charism as a transformative, discreet, and fruitful presence at the service of young people, the Church, and society.

SC Maria Inês Bruno
Communications – Brazil Region