Pope Francis Praises Religious that Let Themselves "be fully embraced by the love of the Lord" and Serves "others without keeping anything for oneself"

Pope Francis sent a message to the 29th General Chapter of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, and encourages Salesians to renew their passion for Christ and dedication to educate young people. The Salesians of Don Bosco are holding their 29th General Chapter in Turin, Italy, from February 16 to April 12, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of their founder’s first missionary expedition to Argentina. As he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at his Vatican residence, Pope Francis sent a message to express his support for members of the Society of St. Francis De Sales.

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE 29th GENERAL CHAPTER
OF THE SALESIAN CONGREGATION
[Valdocco, Turin, 16 February – 12 April 2025]
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Dear brothers,

As I am unfortunately unable to meet you, I am sending you this message on the occasion of the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, and also the 150th anniversary of Don Bosco’s first missionary expedition to Argentina. I greet the new Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, wishing him well in his work, and I thank Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime for the service he has rendered to the Institute in recent years and now offers to the universal Church.

Albeit from a distance, I would like to encourage you to live this time of listening of the Spirit and synodal discernment with confidence and commitment.

You have chosen as the theme of your work the motto: “Salesians, passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young”. It is a good programme: being “passionate” and “dedicated”, letting oneself be fully embraced by the love of the Lord and serving others without keeping anything for oneself, just as your Founder did in his time. Even though today, compared to then, the challenges to be faced have in part changed, the faith and enthusiasm remain the same, enriched by new gifts, such as that of interculturality.

Dear brothers, I thank you for the good you do all over the world, and I encourage you to continue with perseverance. I heartily bless you and your Chapter works, as well as your confrères in all five continents, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May Mary Help of Christians accompany you always.

From the Vatican, 2 April 2025

FRANCIS

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 7 April 2025