February 22, 2026
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the San Juan Bosco School in Belén, Medellín, the Formation Day for the Salesian Family took place. The central theme was the Strenna of the Rector Major, Don Fabio Attard: “Do whatever He tells you – Believers, Free to Serve.”
The event gathered 115 participants from 8 groups of the Salesian Family: the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Salesian Cooperators, the Volunteers of Don Bosco, the Past Pupils, the Salesian Ladies, and ADMA.
During the presentation of the Rector Major’s Strenna, emphasis was placed on the four proposed verbs: Look, Listen, Choose, and Act. Afterwards, group work was carried out with questions related to these four verbs. Below is the result of the reflection:
LOOK
To what extent do we feel challenged by the events of the history we are living and in the places we inhabit?
We feel challenged by:
- The Family: how to recover this vital cell and guide it again as a community of faith.
- New technologies: educating in their proper use.
- Hope and faith in the face of new youth realities, showing the true face of Jesus.
- Like Mary: how to insert ourselves with her gaze and active presence in our environments and apostolates.
What position do we take when we could choose to remain distant, thinking “it’s not my responsibility”?
Sometimes we fall into egocentrism, indifference, fear of making decisions, lack of empathy, lack of confidence, personal limits.
LISTEN
Whom are we listening to?
- Above all, Jesus.
- The voices of young people and those who need to be heard.
- Ourselves, since we have chosen a vocation.
- The world and its proposals.
- May our listening be light for those who do not know how to listen.
How can we avoid falling into “pastoral worldliness”?
By seeking selfless love, guided by the Holy Spirit, giving our lives without personal interests.
CHOOSE
How can we, as Salesian Family groups, leave our comfort zone to accompany young people in finding meaning in life?
- Giving ourselves in time, actions, and mission.
- Touching the “sensitive fiber” of young people, as Don Bosco taught.
- Following St. Francis de Sales: “Everything through love, nothing by force.”
- Being witnesses through the joy of our vocation.
- Being coherent between what we say and what we do.
What choices do we make as Salesians in response to Jesus’ call?
- Deep union with the Lord through constant prayer.
- Knowing and applying Don Bosco’s Preventive System.
- Choosing Jesus every day to give joyful, strong, fruitful, radical witness.
- Presence → Commitment → Dedication → Loving Service.
- Responding like Mary: “Do whatever He tells you.”
ACT
How do we show signs of authentic friendship?
- Friendship with Jesus expressed in the Eucharist, the Word, generosity, mercy, and charity.
- Sowing hope, joy, closeness, and love.
- Authentic friendship accompanies in pain and celebrates successes, with transparency, honesty, active listening, generosity, and coherence — thinking “as Jesus would.”
- Being the “new and good wine”: generosity, goodness, love expressed in effective service.
How do we respond to young people and others who urgently need to encounter Jesus?
- Identifying the reason for their need.
- Making them feel loved, valued, and heard.
- Preparing ourselves to guide them according to their needs.
- Discovering their sensitive side through games and activities.
- Offering the “new wine” of Christ’s love through close, generous, loving service.
The encounter was marked by joy, reflection, welcome, unity, shared experiences, and the commitment to make alive in our groups the maternal invitation of Mary: “Do whatever He tells you” and the call of Don Fabio Attard: “Believers, free to serve.
