Texts approved "ad experimentum"
Rome, 24 June 2011
World Confederacy Past Pupils of Don Bosco
Præit ac tuetur
Coordination:
Acocella pine
Luisa Bertiato
Stefano Carpino
Antonino
Cuvette Carlo Grancelli
don Jesús Guerra
Isaac Tunez
Editing
Pierluigi Lazzarini
Copyright © 2011
World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco
Via della Pisana, 1111
00163 ROME
Typolithography
Salesian Institute Pius XI
Via Umbertide 11 - 00181 ROMA
tel. 06.7827819 - tipolito@donbosco.it
Finished printing in October 2011
Extra-commercial edition
Rome, 24 June 2011
Dear Past Pupils,
I am writing to you on the day of the Solemnity of St John the Baptist.
On this date Don Bosco's feast day was celebrated and it was a celebration so dear to the first Past Pupils, who, on a day like this, went to Valdocco for the first time to express affection, esteem and gratitude to the one who considered the their dear "father, brother and friend". These Past Pupils carried a symbolic gift, which meant the offering Presenting their hearts to Don Bosco. He was deeply moved by it. He certainly perceived that gesture as a sign of gratitude for his work as an educator. A simple and familiar fact, therefore, that, in an informal way, gave rise to the great movement of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.
The foundation of the Association, as such, was the work of Don Filippo Rinaldi, who gave it juridical form in 1911.
Now, precisely in the context of the centenary of the foundation, I myself have the joy of presenting to you the new Statutes of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. I think it is a providential and very significant coincidence, because it allows us to look at the past to know what the original purpose was, and to face the present and the future to discern what is expected of God by this Association. What matters is a creative, dynamic fidelity to the original inspiration of Don Bosco and to the current situation of the World and the Church.
The Statutes are the fruit of a long journey of work by the whole World Confederation, which ended in the IV World Elective Assembly, held in Rome from 30 September to 3 October 2010, with the study and approval ad experimentum of the document. With the renewal of the Statute, a new spring begins, which will make the identity and mission of the Past Pupils flourish abundantly within the Salesian Family, in the Church and in the World.
Among the Past Pupils there is an original plurality to be detected. The Association and the Confederation declare their ecclesial membership, but there are members, in full and right, of different Christian denominations, of various levels as regards the reception and practice of the faith, and also of different religions. Who gives unity to the Association and gathers all its members in communion is Don Bosco himself, his Educational System and his mission.
Dear Past Pupils, in this particular historical moment, society, the Church and the Salesian Family ask you to have at heart the defense and promotion of those values that we all consider "non-negotiable". They represent the guarantee of a truly human life for all. I refer specifically to the values of life, freedom and truth.
You, inserted in the living fabric of society, are called to be the defenders of these values. In this mission you will manifest to the world what it means to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world", living your existence as lay people guided by a clear moral conscience, carrying out your work with an accurate professional competence and expressing your openness to today's world with a concrete social commitment.
Don Bosco calls you once again to be "good Christians and honest citizens"; to promote human dignity and the identity of the family; to practice solidarity in the Association and outside it, especially for the most disadvantaged young people; to be in contact with the young people who complete the educational processes in Salesian houses, in order to invite them to become actively involved in the Association, which will always make them feel "students of Don Bosco" and will offer them the opportunity for ongoing training and a concrete aggregation for their social commitment.
To all of you I would like to point out that the dynamism of the Past Pupils' Association is played first of all in the local Unions. They are the natural field for the integration, training and commitment of the members of the Association. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that the local Unions should be strengthened numerically and qualitatively. They then have a Delegate who accompanies them with constancy and dedication, according to an adequate training program. Finally, they express their vitality in initiatives and projects that are significant in the territory.
The "education received" in the past cannot remain only a memory, but must be transformed into a force that drags the Exalted to affect the world to transform it and make it more human.
Dear Past Pupils, I give you the Statutes as a precious gift, inviting you to study them and put them into practice.
I entrust all of you, your people, your loved ones, your commitments to the care and motherly guidance of Mary Help of Christians!
With great affection and esteem, like that of Don Bosco.
Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva
Rector Major
'One thing, however, which we must thank the Lord greatly, and which forms my greatest consolation is that wherever I go, I always hear good news from you: from all sides we speak well of my ancient children, all of them they praise this meeting of ours, because it is the true means of remembering the warnings and advice I gave you when you were children. Yes, I repeat, this gives me the greatest consolation, it is the honor and glory of my last years.
I see that many of you already have bald heads, white hair and wrinkled foreheads. You are no longer those boys whom I loved so much; but I feel that now I love you even more than once.
Continue on the good path that you have been fighting for so many years, so that you can say that you are happy to have come here; Don Bosco will also be happy and he will be able to boast that those young men whom he once loved, once made men, knew how to preserve and practice that teaching which they received from his lip. You were a small flock: it has grown, grown a lot, but it will multiply again. You will be light that shines in the midst of the world, and with your example you will teach others how to do good and hate and escape evil. I am sure that you will continue to be Don Bosco's consolation. My dear children, may the Lord help us with his grace so that one day we may all find ourselves together in Heaven.' 1
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1 Words of Don Bosco, delivered at the Convention of the Past Pupils, 13 July 1885 (MB 17, pp. 173-174).
We know how much Don Bosco loved his students. After completing their educational journey, he followed them, invited them, welcomed them, guided them again, warned them if it were the case, he cared about their especially spiritual good ...
'With your presence you assure me that you secure in your heart those princes of our saint religion that I have taught you and that these are the guides of your life ... ' 2
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2 Biographical Memoirs (MB) 17, pp. 173-174.
On another occasion, speaking to the Past Pupils, he said: "I recommend one more thing to each other, my dear children, and it is this:
wherever you are, always show yourselves good Christians and honest men ... Many of you already have families. Well, that education that you received in the oratory from Don Bosco, share it with your loved ones.' 3
From the practical point of view 'Don Bosco offered his young people the possibility of making the“ education received ”fruitful either in the committed group of the Past Pupils, or in the Pious Union of Cooperators, or in the priestly and religious life, or in his Salesian Congregation. What is important to emphasize was the importance he gave to the fruitfulness of education in the Oratory.'4
As a response to Don Bosco's profound love, on June 24, 1870, on the occasion of the feast of St. John the Baptist and Don Bosco's onomastic feast, «a dozen Antichi Students officially met; the nice and generous Carlo Gastini, who always considered the Oratory as his second family, took over as head; they undertook to look for more adherents; then appointed a commission to better organize those annual displays of affection and gratitude.' 5
Among the many initiatives that arose in direct contact with Don Bosco, for the benefit of the Ancient Students, we recall a particularly significant one. It is from the year 1878. 'Don Bosco proposes to the Ancient Students a Society of mutual aid to face the difficulties: Let this advantage not be limited only to you, but extend to those young people of good conduct that you already know, or to all of you gathered here.' Carlo Gastini, head of the Ancient Students, immediately took care of the organization, using a statute compiled years ago by Don Bosco himself for an identical institution among the young workers.'6
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3 MB 14, p. 511.
4 E. VIGANÒ, L'animazione degli Exallievi di Don Bosco oggi - Acts of the Consiglio Generale (1987) n. 321, p. 9.
5 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., pp.
6-7.6 MB 13, p. 759.
'Little by little, especially after the death of Don Bosco, the Ancient Students divided themselves into local groups, in unions and societies, up to the real organization promoted by Don Filippo Rinaldi.'7
From 1901 several phases of organization followed one another. «The structure was formally born in the 1st International Congress of Ancient Students in 1911, as a Federation of various local unions, clubs and societies. Until then they were called "Ancient Students"; from that date onwards they will be called "Past Pupils" » 8 .
Don Rinaldi was the creator and animator of this organization.
«In this way he was able to give an organic structure to a movement of affection, of gratitude, of ideals of life that made of the“ education received ”and lived a force more alive and operating»9 .
Arturo Poesio, third president of the Confederation, writes: «The eloquence of Don Rinaldi was simple, spontaneous, paternal and convincing. Only once did he assume an aspect and a language of authority, declaring, in his capacity as Rector Major of the Salesian Society, that the organization of the Past Pupils must be considered among those novas familias thanks to Don Bosco who flourished in the Holy Church, to whom is alluded to in the 11mus proper of the Saint » 10 .
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7 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., p. 7.
8 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., p. 10.
9 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., p. 10; E. CERIA, Life of the Servant of God Sac. Filippo Rinaldi, SEI Turin, p. 252.
10 Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Positio, Rome 1972, p. 28.
From the organizing activity begun by Don Bosco and perfected by Don Rinaldi, the Past Pupils' Association has been increasingly extended in all Salesian works, giving itself organic and articulated structures. Witness the various events that have taken place over these decades. The Past Pupils have always shown themselves to be affectionate children and with an ever greater commitment to work in society.
The various successive Major Rectors brought their contribution to the animation of the Past Pupils and, with them, many Salesians. Among them we cannot forget the names of don Luigi Ricceri, don Umberto Bastasi and don Giovanni Raineri.
Fr Egidio Viganò wrote a letter to the Salesians, an important and stimulating letter, on the animation of the Past Pupils by the Salesians of Don Bosco, who will remain a fundamental document for the Past Pupils themselves.
Fr. Edmundo Vecchi offered the Confederation a rich contribution in the "VIII National Congress of Past Pupils of Don Bosco of Italy. Renew ourselves to renew ”, in Rimini, from 10 to 13 October 1996 and in other various speeches.
Recently Fr Pascual Chávez, in his numerous animation visits to the Provinces and in the various meetings with the Past Pupils, expresses his interest in the Association, inviting everyone to "professional competence, moral conscience and social commitment". It also calls for the defense of values at all costs, especially those pertaining to life, freedom and truth.
The XXII General Chapter of the Salesians defines the affiliation of the Past Pupils to the Salesian Family and enshrines it in article 5 of the Constitutions. As a reason for this belonging, it gives the education received: this education actually gives rise to different levels of participation in the Salesian mission in the world ...
"The Past Pupils are, in themselves, particularly prepared, precisely for the education received, to assume responsibilities of collaboration according to the proper purposes of the Salesian project.
The evangelizing choice made by not a few of them is not an alternative to the title of the education received, but it is a privileged expression of it: it does not therefore constitute a different title to be applied to a kind of new Group » 11 .
The purpose of living this "received education" has given rise to the various local centers, which are grouped into Provincial and national Federations. The whole of them constitutes the World Confederation, to characterize that group through which the sense of belonging to the Salesian Family is expressed.
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11 The Life Project of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Guide to the reading of the Salesian Constitutions, General Directorate of the Don Bosco Works, Rome 1986, p. 115.
a) Don Bosco's Past Pupils are those who, for having attended an oratory, a school or any other Salesian work, have received in it a preparation for life with different degrees and methods according to cultures, religions, quality educational of the work, the ability to receive individuals 12 , following the principles of the Preventive System of Don Bosco 13 : to train people by developing the originality of each one.
b) Four types of membership of the Past Pupils can be identified, which can contribute to defining the levels of identity:
~ those for whom having been students or having attended a Salesian environment is a fact of life, an anecdote, that has not marked his life;
~ those for whom having been students or having attended a Salesian environment is a grace, because they have been touched by the fascination and attraction of Don Bosco, deeply human and profoundly holy. This leads the student to identify himself as an Ex-pupil of Don Bosco;
~ those for whom having been students or having attended a Salesian environment is a choice, a mission, which they accept with all that it implies. They feel called to communicate values received in Salesian education: Don Bosco's spirit and pedagogical method;
~ those for whom having been students or having attended a Salesian environment is a life project, which will encourage them to associate themselves in order to continue their personal formation, to present the educational charism of Don Bosco in society and to carry out specific projects in favor of youth 14 .
c) Education has created bonds of filial loyalty, gratitude, witness to the values of the Don Bosco system, of service and communion skills or of participation in the family spirit.
d) Gratitude brings Past Pupils and Past Pupils to participate, at different levels and degrees, in the Salesian mission in the world, taking responsibility, according to their own state, for collaboration and complementation of the Salesian educational project.
e) The World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco, hereinafter also referred to as the Association, is a non-profit lay association. As such it is part of the Salesian Family, in which the Rector Major - successor of Don Bosco - is the father and center of unity.
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12 E. VIGANÒ, The Past Pupils of Don Bosco - Proceedings of the General Council LXVIII (1987) n. 321, p. 18.
13 Article 1b of the Statute, promulgated on 31 January 1990.
14 JE VECCHI, Past Pupil of Don Bosco around 2000 - Proceedings of the VIII National Congress of Past Pupils of Rimini, Rimini, 10-13 October 1996, pp. 67 and 68, quoted by P. CHÁVEZ, Settlement speech of the Confederal President, Francesco Muceo, in the IV World Elective Assembly 2010, Minutes IV World Elective Assembly of Past Pupils, Rome 2 October 2010.
a) The Christian Pupil-Past Pupil lives seriously the promises of Baptism and Confirmation, characterizing them with the original charism of Don Bosco. This charism takes the form of an apostolically committed lifestyle based on reason, religion and kindness, oriented towards the young and consistent with the joy that comes from being a disciple of Christ.
b) The Association of Past Pupils participates in the mission of Don Bosco and of the Salesian Family in different ways:
~ taking care of the "ongoing formation" of the associates;
~ valuing and caring for the family;
~ undertaking youth education with commitment;
~ «Promoting the values inherent in the human person and respect for human dignity» 15 ;
~ increasing active communion with the whole Salesian Family;
~ taking care of the students at the end of the training course 16 ;
~ promoting activities at the service of man that involve those who, nobly oriented and motivated by goodwill, work for the global and united growth of the human person and of the family in the wake of the Social Doctrine of the Church;
~ taking care of an up-to-date ecumenical sensitivity among Christians and openness to dialogue with other religions, without ever forgetting to deepen one's Christian identity and evangelizing mission and to counteract any form of ethical relativism.
c) The Past Pupil of other religions participates in the ideals of Don Bosco, shares the cultural, spiritual and social educational values of his Educational System and recognizes them as a common heritage of the human family. He makes himself the dispenser of these goods in his living and working environments, and also supports them with what his religion and culture suggests 17 .
d) The Past Pupils all, considering the urgency of youth problems, are concretely operational to respond, also in a personal capacity, to the educational needs and to all those cultural and educational initiatives that interest young people, helping them in their growth and taking on responsibilities in all levels.
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15 P. CHÁVEZ, Goodnight in the IV World Elective Assembly 2010, Minutes IV World Elective Assembly of the Past Pupils, Rome 30 September 2010.
16 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., pp. 29-35.
17 Article 2 of the Statute, promulgated on January 31, 1990.
a) The Association's general purpose is to have a great deal of concern and defend values at all costs with social, political and economic commitment. In particular:
~ life. It is sacred, from birth to death. We need to help young people to find the meaning of life and to commit themselves to taking care of the quality of life, especially that of the poorest and most needy;
~ freedom. Especially when governments, while appearing democratic, seem to act more and more in a self-sufficient way, endangering the freedom and common commitment to build a better world where freedom is guaranteed to
all;
~ the truth. Not only scientific, but also the affective and spiritual, especially when we witness the transition from a healthy pluralism to relativism, to finally blossom in nihilism, which leads to the loss of any frame of reference and the disintegration of society 18 .
b) The Christian Past Pupil lives seriously the baptismal and Confirmation bonds, emphasizing the typical spirituality of Don Bosco, expressed in an apostolically committed lifestyle deriving from being a disciple of Christ.
To this end:
~ it will promote activities at the service of man by involving those who, nobly oriented and motivated by good will, work for the global growth of the human person and respect for the family;
~ will take care of an updated ecumenical sensitivity among Christians and openness to dialogue with other religions.
c) Furthermore, the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, both Christian and of other religions, are called to express and develop the seeds of "received education", that is:
1. To carry out the mission with:
~ Professional competence. To be able to say an authoritative word in any field of life (politics, economics, art ...) one must be competent, so as to become authentic leaven in society.
~ Moral Consciousness. That is to say with human qualities, enriched by values that allow the person himself to know how to discern and choose with responsibility, but also to orientate others or become a point of reference for them.
~ Social commitment. Working not only thinking of personal success but rather of the common good, committed to building a possible better world and therefore becoming responsible for it.
2. To plan training and education experiences.
3. To make alive and present the education received, as indicated by the Preventive System, a precious inheritance and rich synthesis of contents and methods to be fully promoted.
4. Promote human dignity, respect for life and a more just society; spiritual life and access to the life of the Church as a sacrament; a culture of responsible work, as a means of sanctification.
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18 P. CHÁVEZ, Goodnight in the IV World Elective Assembly 2010.
The Past Pupils' Association, aware of its special responsibility, is concerned with animating and promoting the personal growth of members and young people all in Don Bosco by committing to:
a) Contributing to the creation of a more just society by letting oneself be involved in cultural processes , moral, spiritual and religious that propose the solution of problems concerning youth and the common people.
b) Plan lifelong learning experiences for Past Pupils, designed to foster their further personal enrichment and update the education received, so that they can meet the needs of present times.
c) Reserving to the Past Pupils special occasions for contacts and meetings to stimulate them and encourage them to creativity, fraternity, dynamism and responsibility in the various contexts of life.
d) Being present as experts in the spheres in which the educational policies of youth are developed.
The Association promotes and testifies to the values and dignity of the family, based on the sacrament of Marriage, promoting in it the principle of its indissolubility, of the sacredness of life, of equal rights and duties between spouses, of a Christian education and of other faiths, of the preventive pedagogical method and respect for the abilities, natural inclination and aspirations of the children.
The Association accompanies young people in the scholastic-professional choice, in the insertion in the world of work and culture, in socio-political preparation, in the acquisition of specific competences of social communication, in the healthy use of free time, in the response to the Vocation receipt. Care for these sectors with special interventions.
The Association, in particular, also takes care of the Vocations for the other groups of the Salesian Family and for the Church.
Don Bosco's Association of Past Pupils and Past Pupils encourages - especially among young members - participation in the various activities of Salesian voluntary service and is concerned with stimulating personal commitment in the missionary apostolate.
a) The Association heals young people from the first moment they start attending a Salesian presence, making known the existence of the Association and the advantages of being young members, preparing projects and programs that are congenial to them.
b) The Association comes into contact with the young people enrolled in the centers and in other Salesian works because, recognizing the spiritual bond with their educators and teachers, they represent the first recipients of the action of help, recovery and involvement of the Association itself.
c) The Local Association seeks young people in the various Salesian presences, explaining to them the meaning, purpose, identity and mission of the Don Bosco Past Pupils movement and encourages them to participate in the development and promotion of ideals of Don Bosco.
a) The Association increases active communion with the other groups of the Salesian Family, participating in the creation and functioning of structures that facilitate mutual acceptance, dialogue, work collaboration and the interaction of different groups.
b) The Association studies and plans agreements and activities with the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the evident affinity of spirit and pedagogy that characterizes the two Associations, which share an identical and precious heritage.
c) The Association is a point of reference and aggregation for those who "in various capacities" feel bound to the Salesian work; it shares its objectives and constitutes the broad movement of sympathizers, including the Friends of Don Bosco, who for a long time have operated and work in society.
a) The World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco recognizes the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation as the father and the center of unity of the Salesian Family and, as successor of Don Bosco, considers him the primary reference of the World Confederation.
b) In the World Confederal Presidency and in the World Confederal Executive Council of the World Confederation the Rector Major is represented by the Vicar of the Rector Major and the World Confederal Delegate.
c) At the Province level, the Provincials and Directors of the Salesian houses are interested, also assisted by their respective Delegates in the Confederations or National or Provincial Federations and in the Associations, unions and local groups.
d) The Delegate at each level disengages his office on behalf of his superior. Participate in the planning and coordination of the Association's training activities. It is present, at all levels, in the governing and executive bodies.
a) The World Confederation recognizes, asks and considers the commitment of the Society of Saint Francis of Sales in the role of animator of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, with the task of maintaining the unity of spirit, stimulating dialogue, encouraging the fraternal collaboration and encouraging permanent spiritual formation.
b) This commitment is carried out bearing in mind the concept of secularism expressed by the Second Vatican Council, the subsequent ecclesial documents, the norms of the Code of Canon Law concerning lay associations and the Constitutions of the Society of Saint Francis of Sales, with the relative Regulations and the provisions contained in the Salesian directives (General Chapters, Proceedings of the General Council and other documents).
c) This animation also involves the Past Pupils and Religious Past Pupils (men and women).
a) The lay but not secular characteristic, the secular nature and the autonomous responsibility of the World Confederation do not hinder the continuous union with the Society of St. Francis de Sales and with the other groups of the Salesian Family, for mutual enrichment and greater operational fruitfulness of the Movement. The Salesian educational mission extends and multiplies in the areas in which the Past Pupils of Don Bosco operate, who are its multipliers.
b) The concept of secularism is also extended to the Past Pupils of other cultures and religions.
a) In the memory of Don Bosco's fascination, the Past Pupils found themselves, initially, in a spontaneous and filial form, giving life, with the first aggregative expressions, to a Movement.
b) This associative organization, inspired by Don Filippo Rinaldi and perfected over the years, is currently divided into Local Unions or Associations, Provincial Federations, National Federations and recognized Groups. All together they constitute the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, which is the recognized structure through which the genuine belonging to the Salesian Family is granted to the Past Pupil of Don Bosco.
c) The World Confederation of Past Pupils is a unique organization, without ethnic or religious distinctions. As a lay association it enjoys a personality and legal representation, recognized, where possible, by individual states.
d) The registration to it takes place through the Local Associations and requires that the Past Pupils share the goals and objectives according to the Statute and the related national regulations.
The Association is composed of:
a) Associations and Local Unions. These can be made up of:
~ Don Bosco's Past Pupils gathered around a Salesian presence.
~ Past-pupils and Past Pupils of Don Bosco gathered together, who in their country are too far away from the original Salesian house and express a desire to unite.
b) Provincial Federation. It consists of all the Associations and Local Unions within a Salesian Province.
c) National Federation. It consists of all the Provincial Federations existing within a nation.
d) World Confederation. It consists of all the National Federations of each nation and of the Provincial Federations of the countries where there is no National Federation. However, if there is more than one Provincial Federation, the formation of the National Federation should be encouraged.
The bodies of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco are:
a) World General Assembly.
b) World Confederal Presidency.
c) World Confederal Executive Committee. The Confederations and the National and Provincial Federations and the Local Associations must organize themselves independently in accordance with their national Federal Statute.
The bodies of the National Federation are:
a) National General Assembly.
b) National Presidency, with representatives of all
existing Provincial Federations .
c) National Executive Committee.
The organisms of a Provincial Federation are:
a) Provincial General Assembly.
b) Provincial Presidency, with representatives of all existing Local Associations.
c) Provincial Executive Committee.
The bodies of the Local Associations are:
a) General Assembly of course / class representatives.
b) Local Presidency.
c) Executive Committee of the Local Association.
If there are 3 Local Associations, 1 Provincial or National Federation can be created.
If there are 2 Provincial Federations, 1 National Federation can be created. The Confederal Presidency may grant exceptions.
To start a Local Association it is required at least that a large group of Past Pupils express the desire to unite.
a) The World General Assembly is the highest body of the Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. It consists of:
~ The World Confederal Presidency.
~ Presidents of National Federations.
~ The Presidents of the Provincial Federations, where in the Country there is no National Federation and there is only one Provincial Federation.
b) The World Confederal Presidency is composed of:
~ The World Confederal President.
~ The Vice President of the World Confederal Council.
~ The World Confederal Vice President of GEX (elected among the four GEX Councilors, one per Region) 19 .
~ Four Adult Regional Councilors and four GEX (of which one is elected GEX Confederal Vice President).
• one for the Europe Region.
• one for the America Region, consisting of Latin America, North America and Central America,
• one for the Asia-Oceania-Australia Region.
• one for the Africa Region.
~ The Vicar of the Rector Major.
~ The World Confederal Delegate.
~ The World Secretary General.
~ The World Confederal Treasurer.
~ The representative of the Past Pupils.
c) The World Confederal Executive Committee is composed of:
~ The World Confederal President.
~ The World Confederal Vice-President of GEX.
~ An adult Regional Councilor (elected by a simple majority by the Confederal Presidency from among the four regional elected Adult Councilors of the same).
~ The World Secretary General.
~ The World Confederal Treasurer.
~ The Vicar of the Rector Major.
~ The World Confederal Delegate.
d) Distribution of the representation of the Regions for the elections in the World Assembly:
~ Europe: 2 candidates, 1 adult and 1 GEX.
~ Africa: 2 candidates, 1 adult and 1 GEX.
~ Latin America: 2 candidates, 1 adult and 1 GEX.
~ Asia: 2 candidates, 1 adult and 1 GEX.
e) Consultants-Specialists
In the Confederal Presidency of the World Confederation one or more consultants-specialists can be co-opted up to a maximum of three members, in the subjects in which a specialized competence is required, upon appointment that must expressly indicate competences and terms of duration. The Commission's reports are not exclusive to the Presidency.
The members of this commission do not have the right to vote.
f) Special Commissions
The Confederal Presidency can also establish a Commission integrated by expert Past Pupils - up to a maximum of three units - in the matter to be treated, to which a special authority will be granted in a particular matter.
The Confederal Presidency will set in advance the tasks and duties of the Commission, the work and presentation time of proposals and recommendations, to be issued in a final report of the Confederal Presidency of the World Confederation.
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19 The four Regions are: Europe, America, Africa and Asia-Oceania-Australia.
a) World General Assembly
The World General Assembly is organized by the World Confederal Presidency. It meets every six years. The convocation is issued by the President and the World Secretary General and contains the agenda items.
Congress work is carried out based on the Regulations approved at the Meeting.
b) Extraordinary World General Assembly
The Confederal World Presidency can decide the celebration of an Extraordinary World General Assembly:
~ To proceed with new elections in case of renunciation by the majority (half + 1) of the World Confederal Presidency, or of the world confederal Executive Committee to complete, or for any other reason.
~ At the request of at least 2/3 of the members of the World Confederal Presidency.
~ At the request of at least 1/3 of the Confederations and National Federations or of the Provincial or Regional Federations, if there is no National Federation in the country.
~ In circumstances of particular gravity, at the request of the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, who also has the right to set special procedural lines.
c) Meeting of the World Confederal Presidency
The meeting of the members of the World Confederal Presidency takes place every year and is open to all the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.
At the invitation of the World Confederal Presidency, and with a motivated decision, one or more persons, up to a maximum of three, may be invited to participate. The persons invited do not have the right to vote.
d) Meeting of the World Confederal Executive Committee
The meeting of the members of the Confederal Executive Committee takes place at least three times a year.
At the invitation of the World Confederal Presidency, and with motivated deliberation, one or more persons, up to a maximum of three, may be invited to participate. The persons invited do not have the right to vote.
a) World General Assembly
~ Determines the general guidelines of the World Confederal Presidency to achieve the goals and objectives of the World Confederation.
~ Approves the report of the World President and the Secretary General.
~ Approves the Confederal Statutes; examines, orders and approves the proposals to modify and update the Statutes.
~ It elects the members of the World Confederal Presidency.
Approves the Financial Report of the World Confederal Treasurer and exempts him from his responsibility for the controlled period.
~ Listen and approve the reports of the National and Provincial Federations.
~ Approves the projects proposed by the World Confederal Presidency.
b) The World Confederal Presidency
~ Directs and clearly elaborates the activities of the World Confederation according to the resolutions of the World General Assembly.
~ Entrust specific tasks to Members of the World Confederal Presidency.
~ Maintain contacts with international organizations.
~ Program conferences or international meetings and meetings, general consultations and, where necessary, national or Provincial consultations.
~ Approves and accepts the annual financial statement of the World Confederal Treasurer.
~ Establishes the annual contribution quota to the World Confederation by National or Provincial Confederations or Federations or equivalent groups in possession of recognition from the World Confederation.
~ Examine the reports presented by the Confederations or National or Provincial Federations.
~ Authorizes and organizes the granting of merits to Past Pupils or other deserving persons.
~ Meet at least once a year (during the month of October).
~ Recall, if necessary, the attention of members of the World Confederal Presidency to their statutory duties, when they are not fulfilled, and take note of them in the minutes of the meetings.
~ Designates and composes any Commission that is needed (Electoral Commission, Financial Commission, Youth Commission, editorial team, magazine and publication manager, ad hoc Commission on specific subjects).
~ Coopta consultants (specialists) for purposes and with predefined methods (of time and skills).
c) The World Confederal Executive Committee
~ Draft and implement the directives of the World Confederal Presidency.
~ Make proposals to the World Confederal Presidency.
~ It approves the regulations of the Confederations and National Federations and communicates its opinion in case of controversy about the application of the Statutes.
~ Approve the minutes of the meetings prepared by the Secretary General and communicate them to all the members of the Presidency within two months.
~ Examine the account balance presented by the World Confederal Treasurer.
~ It meets, ordinarily, every quarter to review the progress and implementation of the projects.
~ Make a list of expected candidates and the qualities required of them, to be proposed for the elections (including known languages, training, time available, etc.).
~ It can grant, for one year and only for justified documented reasons, the exemption from the annual contribution fixed to the Federations or to recognized groups that have requested it.
a) exercises legal representation of the Confederation.
b) Maintains relations with the superiors of the Congregation and the leaders of the Salesian Family groups, Authorities, international organizations and third parties.
c) Convenes the World General Assembly, the Councils of Nations groups, the Confederal Presidency and the Executive Committee, presiding over them also through representatives.
d) Index the World, Continental and International Congresses authorized by the World General Assembly, presiding over them directly or through representatives.
e) Liaises with all the Confederations and National Federations and with the Representatives of the Group Consultants, participating in any management meetings.
f) It confers motu proprio, either on the proposal of the World Confederal Presidency or of the Confederations and National Federations, particular signs of merit to Past Pupils, Salesians or others who have distinguished themselves for special merits towards the Movement and the Association (Member Honorary, badge of merit with diploma, medals, diplomas of loyalty).
g) Proposes to the Rector Major the joint promulgation of the Statute of the Confederation as approved by the World Assembly.
h) It takes care of the unity, the co-responsibility, the spirit of initiative and the great orientations that ensure a healthy exercise of the lay commitments of the Past Pupils, favoring the animation of the young.
i) It carries out the activities related to its mandate in close collaboration with the Confederal Executive Committee, previously consulted.
j) He chairs the meetings of the World Confederal Presidency and the World Confederal Executive Committee.
a) They replace the President in his absence.
b) They receive specific assignments from the President and from the Confederal Executive Committee, particularly in the field of animation, in specific areas. These tasks are performed through the organizational structures existing therein.
c) They can use experts to study and propose to the Past Pupils cultural, social, ecclesial projects, bearing in mind the priority attention to young people.
d) They assist the President in fostering the unity and communion of all the Federations with the Confederal Presidency.
e) In particular, the GEX Vice President animates the activity of the GEX sector, in communion with the Regional Councilors.
a) Confederation witnesses, animators and interpreters in the relevant Regions. They constitute the regional network of the Confederation.
b) They receive specific tasks from the Confederal Presidency, especially for the mission of animation in their respective Regions, making use of existing bodies.
c) They can resort to the help of experts in the study and preparation of proposals for the benefit of cultural, social and ecclesial projects of Past Pupils in their respective Regions, with special attention to the needs of the youth.
d) Assist the President and the World Confederal Vice-Presidents in their efforts to foster the union and communion of all Confederations and National or Provincial Federations with the members of the World Confederal Presidency.
e) They assist the National and Provincial Federations in their respective Regions, together with all the members of the World Confederal Presidency, in the animation work of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.
a) He is the representative of the Rector Major of the Congregation and the spiritual animator of the World Confederation, in particular of the Confederal Presidency and of the Confederal Executive Committee. He carries out this animation with correspondence, personal contacts and visits in which he studies the various local situations of life and work.
b) Animate the ongoing formation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, with particular attention to the young ones. All this is done together with the Regional Councilors in their Regions and other qualified lay people.
c) Management of publications and aids for the spiritual and cultural formation and animation of the Past Pupils and, in particular, of the members of the Confederal Presidency.
d) Inform the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and his Vicar about the progress of both the World Confederation and the various National and Provincial Confederations and Federations.
e) He receives the guidelines from the Vicar of the Rector Major, responsible for the Salesian Family.
f) He is a member by right of the Electoral Commission for the renewal of the World Confederal Presidency.
a) He is an elected member of the World Confederal Presidency.
b) It can propose to the World Confederal Presidency the appointment of one or more additional Secretaries to receive approval.
c) He is responsible for the Secretariat of the World Confederation.
d) He has advanced skills in using the Internet and knows at least one language, in addition to his native language.
e) He is in charge of good public relations with the leaders of the other groups of the Salesian Family and with other organizations.
f) Annually draws up a project report and presents it to the meeting of the World Confederal Presidency.
g) It contributes to the preparation of the Agenda for the meetings of the World Confederal Presidency and of the World Confederal Executive Council.
h) Draw up minutes of all meetings and send them, within 30 days, to the members present and to those who have justified their absence, taking care of any necessary translation.
i) He is responsible for the deeds and minutes and presents them for approval.
j) It takes care of all that is necessary for the efficient functioning of the Secretariat.
k) He is responsible for all the assets of the World Confederation and prepares an annual inventory, which he sends to the World Confederal Treasurer.
l) He is responsible for archiving every event and information received from the Confederations and National and Provincial Federations.
m) It is responsible for organizing and updating a (worldwide) database of addresses of members of the National and Provincial Confederations and Federations and of recognized groups.
n) It is responsible for creating and updating the list of recognized National and Provincial Federations and Federations, Local Associations and recognized groups, and to publish this list every year.
o) The procedures for the elections begin six months before the World Assembly, announcing the date of the elections to all the National or Provincial presidents and requesting the dossiers for the candidates.
p) He is responsible for the organization of the World Confederation, he follows its accounts and action.
q) He is a member by right of the Electoral Commission for the renewal of the World Confederal Presidency, if he is not a candidate for the Presidency.
r) Can be co-opted by the World Confederal Presidency and in this contingency has no right to vote.
a) He is an elected member of the World Confederal Presidency and is responsible, together with the President of the World Confederation, for the finances of the Confederation.
b) Can propose the creation of a Financial Committee for the solution of specific problems.
c) He is responsible for the World Confederation's bank account together with the World Confederal President and the World Secretary General; he is also authorized to carry out financial movements on the account. Each movement, under penalty of disability, will be countersigned by at least two of the three account managers mentioned above.
d) It prepares the annual budget and the annual budget and presents them to the Confederal Presidency meeting for control and approval.
e) Keep the registration of the accounts up to date.
f) It ensures that the extraordinary expenses, not included in the annual budget, are specifically approved by the World Confederal Executive Committee and annually takes care of the related reporting.
g) Collects the annual contributions of the National and Provincial Confederations and Federations in January, following the invitation to fulfill this payment.
h) He can be co-opted by the Presidency and in this task he does not have the right to vote.
a) All the effective members of the World Confederal Executive Committee and of the World Confederal Presidency have the right, on the same basis, to express their opinions and to vote.
b) Decisions are taken with the simple majority of those present (half + 1). When half of the members are not present no decision can be made, unless they have given written authorization.
c) It is permissible and valid in full right to vote by written authorization (mandate). The holder of this authorization must be a member of the World Confederal Presidency.
d) Each member can hold only one written authorization.
e) In the event of a tie, the (single) vote of the World Confederal President is decisive.
f) The World Confederal Delegate and the Vicar of the Rector Major have the right to vote.
g) The co-opted members, the invited persons, specialists or experts, do not have the right to vote.
h) The exercise of the right to vote must guarantee the anonymity of the person entitled.
a) They have the right to vote:
~ The President of each National Federation, in which there are several Provincial Federations, has one vote for each of the Salesian Provinces present.
~ The President of a Provincial Federation where there is no National Federation has a vote.
~ Every member of the World Confederal Presidency has a vote.
b) Delegation It is allowed to vote by proxy to another member of the same body. No more than one proxy is allowed to the same member. A proxy, signed by the plenipotentiary and a person authorizing it, with specification of their identity and position, can
be given to a member of their own Federation or to another person with the right to vote from another Federation in the same geographical area.
An exception can be made for the Regional Councilors of the Region, who must be authorized by the Inspector.
c) Conditions for exercising the right to vote A Confederation or National Federation or a Provincial Federation does not exercise the right to vote in the event of non-payment of the annual membership fee.
Ten months before the expiration of the confederal assignments the World Confederal Executive Committee will nominate an Electoral Commission composed of at least three members, the World Secretary General and the World Confederal Delegate. The Commission will select the President from within. The tasks of the Electoral Commission are:
a) to draw up a voting regulation;
b) to request nominations for the World Confederal Presidency six months before the electoral operations;
c) in the event of convocation of the Assembly by correspondence, provide for the final examination of the votes received by correspondence and make known the list of those elected by means of a special report;
d) request the elected members to vote on the triad to be submitted to the Rector Major.
The members of the Commission cannot be candidates for the election of the Presidency.
The World Confederal Presidency will submit to the Electoral Commission the complete list of those who have the right to vote. This list will be published on the Past Pupils' website at least one month before the date set for the elections.
a) Each Confederation or National Federation can present up to three candidates, one of which is reserved for a GEX (young past-pupil or past-pupil); the approval of the President, the National Delegate and the Inspector of the territory of membership of the same candidate is required.
b) The approved list will be communicated by the Election Commission at least two months before the World Assembly.
c) Under no circumstances will nominations submitted after this deadline be accepted.
a) Election of the World Confederal President, of the World Confederal Vice President and of the GEX Confederal World Vice President
The President of the Electoral Commission, concluded the voting and scrutiny operations and immediately after having made the exposition before the World General Assembly of the list complete with the candidates and the respective grades obtained, give the list of newly elected members to the Rector Major with the indication of the trio of names of the most voted candidates. Within these three names, the Rector Major will designate the World Confederal President.
The Confederal President, together with the Vicar of the Rector Major, the Confederal World Delegate and the representative of the Past Pupils, members by right, will gather the elected to the World Confederal Presidency, which will appoint the Vice Presidents, the World Secretary General and the Treasurer. Each member of the newly elected Presidency, including members by right, expresses a single preference by secret ballot.
b) Members of the World Confederal Presidency: Regional Councilors
Those eligible to vote who belong to a Region can vote for all the candidates of that Region (according to the votes attributed according to art. 26) to elect the members of the Confederal Presidency. The members of the World Confederal Presidency vote for the candidates of the Region to which they belong.
The Vicar of the Rector Major and the World Delegate are considered as belonging to the Europe Region.
The candidate who obtains the highest number of votes in his Region becomes a Regional Councilor for that Region.
The young person who obtains the highest number of votes in his Region becomes a GEX Regional Councilor for that Region.
c) General Secretary and World Confederal Treasurer
At its first meeting, convened by the President immediately after the conclusion of the vote, the new
Confederal Presidency will designate, on the proposal of the World Confederal President, the General Secretary and the World Confederal Treasurer, choosing them from among its members or co-opting them.
a) The Confederal President holds office for six years and can be reappointed only once, bearing in mind that any office previously assumed in the Presidency cannot be counted. The members of the Presidency remain in office for six years and, ordinarily, can only be re-elected once.
b) The same criteria of duration are valid for the eventual members co-opted in the Presidency and in the Giunta.
c) In case of resignation or death of the President or the Vice President, the Rector Major, informed respectively by the Vice President or by the President, indicates to the Presidency a pair of names among the surviving members among which the same Presidency will appoint the substitute until at the normal expiry of the previous mandate.
d) In case of resignation or death of a member of the Confederal Presidency, the President will convene the World Confederal Executive Committee for:
~ the official acknowledgment of the resignation of the Director or of the death;
~ communications in the event of death to the Salesian Family;
~ the program of consequential activities, such as the attribution of the office of Presidency Councilor to the first of the non-elected (adult or GEX depending on the case) of the regional district to which the Councilor belonged; in the case of a member of the Confederal Executive Committee, the appointment of the new Councilor will be made by the Presidency, as supplemented above. In the absence of a candidate available on the list, the Confederal World Presidency can co-opt a substitute.
e) The Past Pupil, invested with significant public and private positions, cannot carry out mandates, especially as President. The World Confederal Presidency is responsible for evaluating any particular cases.
a) The World Presidency activates, through the official site of the Confederation, animation and periodic information for national Confederations and Federations and for those interested in association activities. The site can be supplemented by the
publication of a news sheet.
b) Every Confederation and National Federation is called to collaborate with articles, news, experiences that it is considered useful to make known worldwide through the aforementioned organs.
a) The Confederal Banner is kept at the headquarters of the World Confederation in Rome. Presents the face of Don Bosco. It is exhibited on the occasion of solemn celebrations, anniversaries, international and world Congresses, meetings and meetings.
b) The Badge, together with the Banner, is a visible sign of the unity of the Confederation and of belonging to it. Designed and coined by the World Confederal Presidency, it is kept at the World General Secretariat. It basically reproduces the original design approved in the Second International Congress of 1920.
c) The gold badge of merit, other certificates of loyalty and special diplomas are granted for reported services.
d) The following annual festivals are celebrated:
~ 31 January Feast of Don Bosco
~ 24 May Feast of Mary Help of Christians
~ 24 June World Day of the Past Pupils to commemorate Don Bosco's name day and the birth of the Past Pupils
~ 5 October Feast of Blessed Alberto Marvelli
~ 5 December Feast of Blessed Filippo Rinaldi
~ 8 December Feast of the Immaculate Conception and commemoration of the beginning of the Salesian Family Don Bosco's Past Pupils also participate in the celebrations of the Salesian Family organized at national, provincial and local level.
The World Confederation receives the financial means from:
a) The annual fee. Paid by every Confederation or National Federation, an expression of belonging to the World Confederation. The Confederations or National Federations are required to contribute to the maintenance of the World Confederation through the quotas established by the World Confederal Presidency in relation to the number of associates. The World Confederal Presidency will annually decide the amount of the membership fee by each Confederation and National Federation taking into account the average national per capita income. The World Confederal Presidency sets the amount of the membership fee each year. This fee is paid by each Confederation or Provincial Federation, or by each National Federation if there are no Provincial Federations. In the case in which the National Federation is composed of various Provincial Federations, the quota is due by each Provincial Federation. In the event that the Confederation or National Federation is not established, the fee is payable by each Provincial Federation.
b) Donations and projects. With this purpose the World Confederal Treasurer is allowed to organize activities and projects. The World Confederation is authorized to receive receipts and contributions of various origins with the purposes set forth in this Statute.
On the basis of actual revenues and according to the estimate proposed by the World Confederal Treasurer, the Confederal Presidency can, every year, allocate a certain sum to a member of the Confederal Presidency for the execution of a proposed and approved project.
The World Confederal Treasurer can pay the travel expenses and other expenses of the members of the Confederal Presidency and of the World Confederal Executive Committee or other persons, only if there is a prior permission of the World Confederal Executive Committee (Any expense must be accompanied by relative invoice).
a) Belonging to the Association may cease due to the personal choice of the Past Pupil, or to a matured decision of the Presidencies of all levels.
They, after having observed behaviors that are not consistent with statutory and regulatory norms or otherwise harmful to the organizational and community life, or for other serious reasons, can decide with the consent of the 2/3 of the members:
~ The motivation of distrust and request for dismissal.
~ Termination of office (if manager).
~ The expulsion of the Past Pupils from the Association.
b) Recourse to the next higher body is permitted against the decisions referred to in the previous paragraph.
a) The official text of the present Statute is the one drafted in Italian and deposited with the World General Secretariat with the signatures of the Rector Major of the Salesian Society, of the World President, of the Vicar of the Rector Major, of the Secretary General and of the Salesian Confederal Delegate . The various translations in different languages must be authorized by the World Confederal Presidency and must expressly bear the approval obtained.
b) Any controversy over the authentic interpretation and application of these Statutes and National Regulations is referred to the World Confederal Presidency.
c) The present World Confederal Statute can serve as a model for drafting Statutes or Constitutions of National or Provincial Confederations or Federations, and also for Local Associations.
d) The National Statutes must be presented to the World Confederal Executive Committee for approval and enter into force after obtaining it. This applies even in the case of future changes.
e) All members of the World Confederal Presidency and National Confederations and Federations can propose changes to these Statutes. Final approval corresponds to the World General Assembly and requires a majority of 2/3 of the members entitled to vote.
The headquarters of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco is set at the Generalate of the Salesian Congregation, currently Via della Pisana 1111, I - 00163 Rome, Italy.
Promulgated June 24, 2011
Solemnity of St. John the Baptist
Don Pascual Chávez Villanueva Dott. Francesco Muceo
Rettor Maggiore President Mondiale
Don Adriano Bregolin Deborah Dall'Armi
Vicar of the Rector Major and World Secretary
Responsible for the Salesian Family
Don José Pastor Ramírez
Delegato Mondiale
TEXT - INTERPRETATION AND CHANGES
Index
Presentation pag. 3 Preface
”7
Preface” 9
Chapter I
Identity and Mission of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco
Art. 1 - Identity pag. 15
Art. 2 - Mission "17
Chapter II
Purposes and Objectives of the Association of Don Bosco's Past Pupils and Past Pupils
Art. 3 - General End pag. 19
Art. 4 - Educational promotion "21
Art. 5 - Family commitment" 22
Art. 6 - Service to vocations and specific secular tasks "22
Art. 7 - Voluntary work" 22
Art. 8 - Attention to young people "22
Art. 9 - The Salesian Family ”23
Chapter III
Relations with the Salesians of Don Bosco
Art. 10 - Presence of Salesians in the World Confederation pag. 25
Art. 11 - Salesian animation "26
Art. 12 - Autonomy in communion" 26
73Chapter IV
Origin and development
Art. 13 - Origin and development pag. 29
Chapter V
Organization and composition of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco
Art. 14 - Organization of the Association pag. 31
Art. 15 - Composition - Bodies "32
Art. 16 - Organization of the World Confederation" 33
Art. 17 - Assemblies and meetings "35
Chapter VI
Tasks in the organisms
Art. 18 - Tasks pag. 39
Chapter VII
Duties and duties of the Members of the World Confederal Presidency
Art. 19 - The World Confederal President pag. 43
Art. 20 - The World Confederal Vice Presidents "44
Art. 21 - The Regional Councilors" 45
Art. 22 - The World Confederal Delegate "46
Art. 23 - The World Secretary General" 46
Art. 24 - The World Confederal Treasurer " 48
Chapter VIII
Decisions
Art. 25 - Voting in the Presidency and in the World Confederal Executive Committee pag. 51
Art. 26 - Voting in the World General Assembly "52
Chapter IX
Elections of the World Confederal Presidency
Art. 27 - Electoral Commission pag. 55
Art. 28 - Applications ”56
Art. 29 - Elections of the World Confederal President, of the World Confederal Vice President and of the World Confederal Vice President "56
Art. 30 - Duration" 58
Chapter X
Information and Communication
Art. 31 - Information bodies pag. 61
Chapter XI
Banner, Badge, merits and days of celebration
Art. 32 - Banner, Badge, merits and days of celebration pag. 63
Chapter XII
Financing
Art. 33 - Belonging pag. 65
Art. 34 - Expenses "66
Chapter XIII
Regulations and disciplinary sanctions
Art. 35 - Norms and disciplinary sanctions pag. 67
Chapter XIV
Text - Interpretation and Modifications
Art. 36 - Official text pag. 69
Art. 37 - Registered office ”70
Index pag. 73
