(ANS - Rome) - "Today, 1 April, is a day to remember. It is actually the 80th anniversary of the canonization of Don Bosco, ​​by Pope Pius XI on Easter Sunday, 1 April 1934, associating Don Bosco with the glory of the Risen Christ." So said Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of saints, when he  presided at the Eucharist this morning with the Chapter members.

Eighty years have passed since that day when the holiness of Don Bosco was given official recognition by Pope Pius XI, who had known him personally. His is a universal holiness: "Don Bosco and his educational system,” said Cardinal   Amato, “are part of the Salesian identity, but they are not our property, they are not ‘ours'. Don Bosco is not only the saint of the Salesians, but a saint of the Church, and the preventive system also belongs to the whole Church."

The cardinal told of his personal experience, which has enabled him to see for himself the esteem and admiration that exist for Don Bosco and the Salesians for what they have done and are doing all over the world. He mentioned the testimony given by Pope Francis and previously by Pope Benedict.

"The goodness of a charism in the Church is measured mainly by the holiness it is capable of producing in its consecrated members."  This is confirmed first of all in the significant number of members of the Salesian Family who have gained recognition among the Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God.

The goodness of the charism is also confirmed in the good work done day after day by Salesians.  Referring to the episode of the healing of the paralytic in the Gospel of the day, the Cardinal said: "For us, the healing gesture of Jesus is repeated in our day, by the work of your hands which raises young people from discouragement and sadness, restoring their hope and trust, and giving them a future."
This is good work that is being done all over the world  and it deserves to be made known and appreciated.

The Cardinal went on to say: "This is your apostolate. I enjoy reading the Salesian Bulletin, which is an effective instrument in bringing the good news of what the Salesians are doing in the world."  He quoted some examples from Swaziland , Nigeria and Poland.

He said that there are many Salesians who are already Blessed or Venerable, and he concluded by proposing a task: "We need miracles before the Church can proceed to their beatification and canonization. This is the task that these servants of God entrust to us all - to ask for miracles through their intercession in order to proceed with their beatification and canonization."

We have a further responsibility to "raise knowledge and appreciation of our saints, who are the true treasures of our family."

A contemporary film is available on YouTube showing the entry of Pope Pius XI to St Peter's Square on the occasion of the canonization of Don Bosco.

Published 01/04/2014