(ANS – Lisbon) – From 29 October to 1 November various members of the Sector for Social Communication and representatives of the same Sector active in the various Salesian regions gathered in Lisbon to take part in the World Council for Communication.
About two dozen representatives from different Salesian regions, exponents of the communication sector, of the Salesian Bulletin and of the Salesian publishing houses, gathered for a working meeting and sharing of communication practices at the service of the Salesian mission.
In the opening prayer of this meeting, Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, said: “I am very happy to have this meeting after two and a half years without seeing you in person”. Fr Mendes also recalled the excellent work done by each of those present, as well as the enormous dedication of each to the communication sector.
It is a meeting marked by fraternity, rich in exchanges of experiences and significant in the search for new knowledge and communication practices for the good of the mission of all, always at the service of the young. Therefore, participants are invited to contribute to a general working document for the sector, which aims to explore concepts and processes, while creating a common vision.
This document, which consists of 25 parts, analyzes and explores ideas such as “communication, creative, narrative and aesthetic processes”, “communication and salesian charism”, “communication, identity and salesian mission”, “communication and spirituality”, among many other concepts and ideas. Each participating region is invited to integrate their ideas and perspectives into this working document, which is intended to be global.
During the World Consultation on Communication, the Plan of the Dicastery for Communication is also analyzed and worked on.
The first day was also marked by a moment of homage to some of the members present: a gesture with which the General Councilor for Social Communication wanted to highlight the work carried out, for several years, by each of the honored, in the various Salesian Regions from they represent.
The World Council on Communication 2022 was also the moment chosen for the launch, in Portuguese, of the 23rd book by Fr Gildasio Mendes, entitled “Eu Confio em ti!“(I confide in you!), which wants to be a “meaningful testimony” that contributes to the “meaningful experience and the joy of trust”.
During the World Consultation, participants will also have the opportunity to participate in some educational, cultural and religious visits to the cities of Lisbon, to Estoril, the place that will host next year the meeting of young Salesians who will participate in WYD Lisbon 2023, and to the Marian shrine of Fatima, national and international center of Marian devotion.
The visit to Fatima includes moments of prayer and the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Apparitions, which will be presided over by Fr Gildasio Mendes. At the end of the visit, and before returning to Lisbon, the participants in the Council on World Communication will also recite a prayer of Consecration to Our Lady of Fatima.
Portugal – The Communication Sector sets up the World Council in Lisbon