International Congress of Salesian Works and Social Services

The International Congress of Salesian Works and Social Services (OSSS) was held from 28 September to 2 October 2022 in Turin-Valdocco. The platform gave an opportunity for 300 delegates from all the 91 Salesian provinces across the world, to reflect and share their experiences in the social work field and to strengthen their actions through mutual learning. The event was coordinated by the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector.  

Mr. Benny Augustine, Project Manager, BREADS along with Fr. Joby SDB (Director, Fishermen Community Development Programme, Kollam) and Fr. James Paul SDB (YaR Commission head, INK Province), represented the Salesian province of Bangalore.

The Congress aimed to:

• To reflect on the orientations of the Church, the Congregation and different social stakeholders in reference to the Salesian youth ministry that is developed in the works and social services of the different provinces.
• To identify the common aspects that guarantee the charismatic unity of the Salesian Social Works in the Salesian Education Pastoral Plans.
• To produce regional agreements to make visible the impact of social works in the Congregation and in the different ecclesial and civil contexts.

Participants in the OSSS Congress experienced four days of valuable discussion and sharing, inspired by a number of knowledgeable speakers in keeping with this spirit and aim.