VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The multicultural composition of the Salesian order is a gift that the priests and brothers should use in their service to the church and the world, and particularly to young people in need, Pope Francis said.
In a message to the general chapter of the Salesian priests and brothers, the pope said his convalescence meant he could not meet the chapter members in person, but he wanted to send them encouragement.
The pope's message was released by the Vatican April 7. The Salesian general chapter was taking place in Turin Feb. 16-April 12.
The theme of the chapter meeting was: "Salesians, passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young."
"It is a good program," the pope said. It emphasizes "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."
The order was founded in northern Italy in 1859 by St. John Bosco to care for and educate children and young people who were poor and exploited.
"The challenges to be faced have in part changed since then," the pope said, but the Salesians' "faith and enthusiasm remain the same, enriched by new gifts, such as that of interculturality."
The Salesians, who form one of the Catholic Church's largest religious orders of men, have 13,750 consecrated members working in 136 nations. Only the Jesuits have more members.
Pope Francis also used his message to congratulate the Salesians' new superior, Maltese Father Fabio Attard, who was elected rector major in late March.
The 66-year-old priest previously served on the Salesian general council and was coordinator of Salesian and Lay Formation in Europe from 2020 to 2023. The project led to the creation of a master's program for the formation of Salesians and lay collaborators, now managed by the Pontifical Salesian University, where Father Attard is a visiting professor.
Father Attard was not one of the 220 members of the general chapter, and his election marked the first time members chose someone who was not present, the Salesians said. The Maltese priest was asked over the phone if he accepted his election and then flew to Turin.
