A few weeks ago, we shared news from Rome about the theme for the 28^th General Chapter, 'What Salesians for today's youth?'. Ahead of our Provincial Chapter in April 2019, the consultations with young people called for by the Rector Major, have begun, and Fr David O'Malley SDB describes one of the first meetings.

On Friday, the eve of the feast of Mary immaculate, the community in Battersea invited a group of 6th form students from St John Bosco College to talk to them about the theme of the next chapter: "what kind of Salesians for the youth of today?"

The group shared evening prayer with the community led by Bro Greg and then had supper with the community before sitting down for a discussion and a session of questions and answers using tablets to gather instant feed-back.

The students were asked to consider issues such as what they need from Salesians, what qualities a Salesian would have to meet those needs, and how they can play a part in working with the Salesians to help Young People.

It was an excellent and refreshing evening for all and a great start to our chapter process here in Battersea.

Further meetings will take place around the Province, and the responses will be taken to the Provincial Chapter in April, and then to the General Council in 2020.