(ANS – Naples)– On August 29 the Blessed Michael Rua Salesian Province of southern Italy began its celebrations for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth in the church where Don Bosco celebrated Mass on March 31, 1880.

It was the church of St Joseph's in Via Medina, in Naples, and Don Bosco had made his one and only visit to southern Italy. The Bicentenary opening formed part of the annual Youth Ministry Convention, this year under the heading of "Don Bosco's mission with the young and for the young of the South".

The Salesian Provincial for southern Italy, Fr Pasquale Cristiani, and the Salesian Sisters Provincial, Sr Marinella Scano were present, while the City Council was represented by the Councillor for Culture, Mr Gaetano Daniele. Fr Pasquale Cristiani presided at the ceremony and began by telling the story of Don Bosco, inviting each one present to imitate the Saint by giving him or herself completely to the young with concrete activities.

As a symbol of the beginning of the Bicentenary each Rector or Superior (SDB and FMA) of Houses in southern Italy was given a lamp as a sign of their commitment to keeping Don Bosco's charism alive.

Published 02/09/2014