General Chapters
The General Chapter is the assembly of the representatives of all the Salesian communities spread throughout the world. Art. 146 underlines the nature and meaning of the GC in its spiritual aspect: «it is the principal sign of the Congregation’s unity in diversity»; «it is the fraternal meeting» in which the Salesians reflect together «in order to remain faithful to the Gospel and to the Founder’s charism, and sensitive to the needs of the times and places»; it is a moment of grace and communion during which it «seeks to know… the will of God». It is chiefly the guarantor and the sign of the unity of the Congregation.
From 1877 to 2025, 29 General Chapters have been held. The main references for each are given below, in chronological order.
| GC | Year | Rector Major | Main themes and references |
|---|---|---|---|
| CG01 | 1877 | Fr Bosco | Consolidation of the Congregation: Community life. Morality. Finances, Provinces. (MB 13, 243-294; Annali I. pp. 308-323). |
| CG02 | 1880 | Fr Bosco | Revision and Completion of the 1st GC. Various regulations. Election of the Sup. Chapter. (Except DB, Rector Major for life). (MB 14, 518-521; Annali I, pp. 464-468). |
| CG03 | 1883 | Fr Bosco | Various themes; Salesian Bulletin and Cooperators. Regulations for the spiritual exercises, for the novices, for study, for Parishes… (MB 16, 411-421 ; Annali I, pp. 468-473). |
| CG04 | 1886 | Fr Bosco | Various themes: Topics dealt with in CG03 and others. Election of the Sup. Chapter. (MB 18, 174-191; Annali I, pp. 560-566). |
| CG05 | 1889 | Fr Rua | Various themes; Theological and philosophical studies, Novitiate Houses and Studentates, Members in military service, Holidays, Finances… (Annali II, pp. 37-47; LC (Rua) n. 3, p. 32). |
| CG06 | 1892 | Fr Rua | Consolidation and development of the Society and the spiritual and intellectual progress of its members. Election of the Sup. Chapter. (Annali II, pp. 238-249; LC (Rua) n. 10, p. 80-83 and n. 11, pp. 85-91). |
| CG07 | 1895 | Fr Rua | Various themes; Rectors and Directors, Regulations of the Salesian Houses, Obedience, Poverty. Finances, Cooperators, Festive Oratories… (Annali II, pp. 445-460; LC (Rua) n. 3, p. 444). |
| CG08 | 1898 | Fr Rua | Three main aims: 1. To recall the Deliberations already approved and study how to make them more practical; 2. To re-examine provisions and Regulations approved ad experimentum; 3. To clarify better and develop more fully some points already established, in order to maintain and strengthen the unity of spirit. Election of the Sup. Chapter. (Annali II, pp. 732-742; LC (Rua) n. 18, p. 168). |
| CG09 | 1901 | Fr Rua | Various themes: Communications of the Rector Major, Theological and philosophical studies. Practical training period and university studies, Points of the Rules and Constitutions less observed… (Annali III, pp.144-169; LC (Rua) n. 24, pp. 269-285). |
| CG10 | 1904 | Fr Rua | Regulations of the Gen. Chapters - Reorganisation of the capitular Deliberations - Regulations of the novitiates - Various proposals. Election of the Sup. Chapter. (Annali III, pp. 537-557; LC (Rua) n. 26. p. 308-312 and n. 28, p. 316-330 and n. 29, pp. 331-334). |
| CG11 | 1910 | Fr Albera | Election of the Rector Major and of the Sup. Chapter. Revision of the Regulations for the Provincials, for all the Houses, for the Novitiate houses, for the Parishes, for the Festive Oratories. Various. (Annali IV, pp. 1-13; LC (Rua) n. 39, pp. 419-422 and LC (Albera) n. 1, pp. 10-12). |
| CG12 | 1922 | Fr Rinaldi | Election of the Rector Major and Sup. Chapter. Adaptation of religious life to the new provisions of the CIC. (Annali IV, pp. 429-430; ACS n. 6, pp. 258-261; n. 7, pp. 282-283; n. 14, pp. 3-7). |
| CG13 | 1929 | Fr Rinaldi | Reorganisation of ecclesiastical studies. Reorganisation of the vocational schools. Organic development of the Missions. (ACS n. 41, p. 591; n. 45, p. 673; n. 46, p. 695; n. 47, p. 711; n. 48, p. 735) |
| CG14 | 1932 | Fr Ricaldone | Election of the Rector Major. (ACS n. 58, pp. 2-3). |
| CG15 | 1938 | Fr Ricaldone | Election of the Superior Chapter. “The formation of Salesian personnel” (Houses for aspirant clerics and coadjutors, Sons of Mary, Novitiates, Philosophical studentates. Practical training period… (ACS n. 67, p. 194; n. 83, pp. 421-422; n. 88, p. 454). |
| CG16 | 1947 | Fr Ricaldone | “How to adapt our activities as sons of St John Bosco in practice to the demands of the present hour” (ACS n. 137, p. 48). Election of the Sup. Chapter. (ACS n. 122, p. 322; n. 135, p. 22; Chronicle in ACS n. 143, p. 143). |
| CG17 | 1952 | Fr Ziggiotti | Election of the Rector Major and of the Sup. Chapter. Vocational and agricultural schools; Missions and missionaries; Formation houses (Approval of the Regulations) (ACS n. 167, p. 3; n. 168, p.7; n. 169, pp. 2-5; n. 170, pp. 7-36). |
| CG18 | 1958 | Fr Ziggiotti | Religious life and discipline - Application of the Constitution “Sedes Sapientiae” - Parishes and Festive Oratories - Devotion to D. Savio, Cooperators, Past Pupils, Press (ACS n. 200, pp. 11-12). Election of the members of the Superior Chapter. (Chronicle in ACS n. 203). |
| CG19 | 1965 | Fr Ricceri | Election of the Rector Major and of the Sup. Council. The Salesian “as he must be”, adaptation to the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and Renewal. (Acts and Chronicle in ACS n. 244). |
| CG20 | 1971 | Fr Ricceri | Election of the Rector Major and Sup. Council. “Renewal of the Salesian Society”. 4 general themes: Nature and purpose of the Congregation; Consecrated life; Formation for consecrated life; Structures and government. (ACS n. 254 and CGS 20 della Società Salesiana, Roma 1971). |
| CG21 | 1977 | Fr Viganò | Election of the Rector Major and Sup. Council. “Witnessing to and proclaiming the Gospel: two requirements of Salesian life among the young” (CG 21 n. 44; ACS n. 283; Capitolo Generale 21 della Società Salesiana, Editrice SDB, Roma 1978). |
| CG22 | 1984 | Fr Viganò | “The study of the renewed text of the Constitutions and Regulations”. (ACS n.305, p. 6 and ACG n. 311) Election of the Rector Major and Gen. Council. (Capitolo Generale 22 della Società di San Francesco di Sales, Editrice SDB. Roma 1984). |
| CG23 | 1990 | Fr Viganò | Election of the Rector Major and Gen. Council. “Educating young people to the faith: task and challenge for the Salesian community today” (ACG n. 327; Acts and Chronicle in ACG n. 333). |
| CG24 | 1996 | Fr Vecchi | Election of the Rector Major and of the Gen. Council. “Salesians and lay people: communion and sharing in the spirit and mission of Don Bosco” (Acts and Chronicle in ACG n. 356). |
| CG25 | 2002 | Fr Chávez | “The Salesian Community today: fraternal life, Gospel witness, animating presence among the young” - Review of the structures of animation and government (ACG n. 372, p. 5). Election of the Rector Major and of the General Council. (Acts and Chronicle in ACG n. 378). |
| CG26 | 2008 | Fr Chávez | Election of the Rector Major and of the Gen. Council. “Da mihi animas, cetera tolle” Charismatic identity and apostolic passion. Starting afresh from Don Bosco to reawaken the heart of every Salesian. Reviews. (ACG n. 394). |
| CG27 | 2014 | Fr Artime | Election of the Rector Major and of the Gen. Council. “Witnesses to the radicality of the Gospel” Work and temperance. Reviews. (ACG n. 418). |
| CG28 | 2020 | Fr Artime | Election of the Rector Major and of the Gen. Council. “What kind of Salesians for the young people of today?” Priority of the mission with the young. Profile of the Salesian today. Mission shared between Salesians and lay people. Reviews. (ACG n. 433). |
| CG29 | 2025 | Fr Attard | Election of the Rector Major and of the Gen. Council. “Passionate for Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young”. (ACG n. 445) |