(ANS – Rome) – Yesterday 20 January those taking part in the Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family paid their respects to Don Bosco when they visited the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome. On this occasion a small museum was opened in the rooms where Don Bosco stayed during his last journey to Rome in 1887.

The programme of this pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was simple but full. Fr Guido Novella, the liturgical animator of the Spirituality Days, led a celebration of reflection and prayer based on the subjects of the Strennas of the last five years, which as the Rector Major has pointed out constitute for the Salesian Family  a social and ecclesial programme always relevant: the family, God’s love for life, education with the heart of Don Bosco,  the evangelisation of the young and accompanying them in the vocation.

With the help of some guides this was then followed by a guided tour of the  small museum and  the rooms where Don Bosco lived for several weeks during his last stay in Rome between 30 April and 18 May 1887. Recently restored and returned to their former style, the rooms were blessed and inaugurated by Fr Pascual Chávez. Preserved in the small museum are objects and items of clothing belonging to Don Bosco, Don Rua and Cardinal Cagliero. On the walls are some of Don Bosco’s writings such as the letter from Rome in 1884 well-known for its pedagogical advice from the saint.

The afternoon concluded with Mass at which the Rector Major presided. Fr Adriano Bregolin, who gave the homily referred to the great significance of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for the Salesian Family: “In this same place we here we are now, Don Bosco lived, prayed, worked met important people of Church and State. […] The most moving memory form us  is the Mass which he celebrated on 16 May 1887. […] He had lived out his mission with the greatest possible fervour and at that moment his eyes and his mid were opened and he was able to go over his life like a short sacred history with all the actions and gifts of God, with the presence of Jesus and the constant protection of the Virgin, the Help of Christians. A small but great history of salvation had been carried out which touched the hearts of thousands of young people.”

In the evening the final stage of the pilgrimage was an historical reflection which traced some of the phases of Don Bosco’s life beginning with the famous dream at 9 years of age and going on to the Mass  celebrated at the altar of Mary Help of Christians the day after the consecration of the Basilica. The programme was a collaboration between the Choir of the Saint John Bosco parish, several members of the Choir of University Students and the Diocese of Rom and the CGS Life of Biancavilla.

And in true Salesian tradition the day was brought to a close by the Good Night given by Fr Chávez who summing up the day’s events also highlighted the special characteristics of Don Bosco, especially his total dedication to the mission entrusted to him: the education of the young.

The church of the Sacred Heart was desired by Pope Pius IX. Then Leo XIII entrusted the completion of the project to Don Bosco who devoted all his energies to carrying out the Pope’s wishes. On 11 February 1921, Benedict XV raised it to the dignity of a Minor Basilica. Paul VI then instituted on 5 February 1965, the Cardinalate title of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Castro Pretorio.

The Good Night by Fr Chávez is available in audio in the appropriate section of ANS and as a video on ANSChannel.

Published 21/01/2012