EUROPE/ITALY - Salesians conclude 150th Anniversary celebrations: “We have a marvelous history of 150 years to tell, but also a beautiful story yet to tell”

Turin (Agenzia Fides) - “We have experienced an authentic year of grace, a jubilee, where we have walked the path of spiritual renewal by rediscovering the inestimable value of our consecration...We have a marvellous history of 150 years to tell, but also a beautiful story yet to tell, and there is no other way to do it than beginning with the young, believing in their capacity for generous and courageous choices, becoming their companions on the journey and together taking in hand the 'father's dream' translating it into reality each day in the very many situations and contexts in which we find ourselves, as his sons, living out this calling, carrying out the Salesian mission. The young continue to be the most precious aspect of our inheritance.” These were the words of the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva, during his homily at the Mass he presided on December 18, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco (Turin), for the conclusion of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Salesian Order.
At the side of the Rector Major were the General Council, some Provincials from Italy, a number of Salesians from Piedmont and nearby regions, members of the Salesian Family and young people. Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, was also present. After the homily, the Salesians present, along with those present in another 130 different countries doing the same today, renewed their commitment to give their lives poor, chaste and obedient in the service of the young especially the poor and those most in need. “Through our renewal of profession we would like to profess our unconditional availability to God, for him to find in us – as he found in Don Bosco – the very collaborators he is seeking. Let us make Don Bosco's dream our own, for it is God's dream. Let us make our own the same generous and courageous gesture of that group of young men gathered around Don Bosco on an evening like this evening, 150 years ago, and God will continue to write his history of salvation,” said the Rector Major.
Today, December 19, the Rector Major will address representatives of the Salesian Family of Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta, then, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, will preside at a concelebrated Mass with the renewal of the promise of the Salesian Cooperators, and the memory of the Jubilees of Salesians of Italy for the District of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. In the afternoon, at the Centro Congressi Lingotto in Turin, there will be the concert called "Gratias agimus tibi: Don Bosco between memory and prophecy" performed by students of the "Giuseppe Verdi" Conservatory in collaboration with the Inter-University Choir of Rome.
Officially begun on December 18, 1859 in Turin, by the priest “Don” (Father) Giovanni Bosco, the Salesian Congregation is currently present in 129 countries with 16,092 Salesians: 10,669 priests, 2025 coadjutors, 2,765 seminarians, 515 novices, and 118 bishops. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2009)