The Rector Major and the General Council Members made a half-day retreat at the beginning of the Winter Plenum of the General Council Session, December 2012-January 2013, on 3rd December, feast of St. Francis Xavier. Early morning we were received by the Salesian Community of the Vatican and taken for the Eucharistic Celebration at the tomb of St. Peter, right below the canopied Papal Altar of Confession designed by Bernini in the middle of the magnificent Basilica. After breakfast the Rector Major introduced some documents he put at our disposal for reading, reflection and prayer connected to the great events being lived at present, namely the Year of Faith, the Synod of Bishops on New Evangelization, the Advent Season and the approaching General Chapter 27.