During the morning the introduction to the document, prepared by the first commission under the supervision of the central commission, was approved.  The definitive texts from the first three commissions (‘Fraternal Life’, ‘Gospel Witness’ and ‘Animating Presence among the Young’) were also warmly received. Finally the text of the message to young people was proposed, ready for approval tomorrow.

The texts from the other three commissions (‘The Rector and Ongoing Formation’, ‘Living and Working Together’ and ‘Structures of Government’) were approved with a significant majority, as were the message to the Salesian Family, the appeal to international organisations dealing with youth issues, and the Salesian ‘Credo’ which will be part of the introduction.

The assembly entrusted the Rector Major with responsibility for the style and graphic design of the final document. There was an atmosphere of satisfaction at what had been achieved.

It has been a rich and fruitful event, in which the chapter members have produced, through their reflection and discussion, a document which will enlighten the life of the Congregation throughout the next six years and which will provide the basis for the animation of the Rector Major and his Council. During its 56 days an international ‘megacommunity’ has shared in work, fraternal life, prayer, play and relaxation. The Chapter received very many messages, including the Pope’s call to ‘be saints’, and those from the branches of the Salesian Family expressing their wishes for good results and communion of spirit. It was the Chapter of the Beatifications of Zatti, Variara and Romero, examples of the fruitful spirituality of Don Bosco. It was the Chapter which gave the Congregation Don Pascual Chaves as the ninth successor of Don Bosco. It was the Chapter which tried to ‘rewrite’ the Salesian Community for the new millennium. It was the Chapter of ‘Duc in Altum’.

This morning the Rector Major addressed his concluding words to the Chapter members. Don Chavez thanked them and everyone who had contributed to the smooth running of the Chapter, the Councillors old and new, the Salesians of the Generalate and the lay personnel working there.

Don Pascual referred to events in the world at large which had been of concern during the Chapter, especially the situation in the Holy Land and the problems in the Church in the United States.  He took up the theme of the Chapter and analysed ‘the times in which we live’, the context of the document ‘Novo Millennio Ineunte’ and the re-founding of our charism in General Chapters from the twentieth until the present. He mentioned that the Chapter had produced “new wine: the new evangelist, the new educator, the new pastoral minister, the new Salesian.” He went on to list some of what would be necessary to bring this newness to reality: “the spiritual renewal of every Salesian, the quality of our communities, a new appreciation of ‘presence’, the quality of our educational and pastoral planning, Salesian formation.”

The Rector Major concluded with an invitation to enter the new millennium full of courage, with Mary as our ‘Star of the Sea’.