(ANS – Rome) – With the opening of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth tomorrow, August 16 at Castelnuovo, 365 days dedicated to investigating and spreading the “Mission of Don Bosco with a for the young” get underway. There will be many special events throughout the year for those who share in Don Boscs charism.

At world level the Salesian Congregation will be organising two international congresses in Rome: The History Congress (19-23 November 2014) and one on Education (19-21 March 2015); in Turin and the Salesian places and meeting of Salesian bishops is envisaged (21-25 May 2015), an international congress on Mary Help of Christians (6-9 August 2015) and immediately following the closing of the year, a meeting of the Salesian Youth Movement (11-16 August).

The Bicentenary with all its reflections and other materials will also have its effect on other events in the life of the Congregation such as the annual Missionary expedition send-off (the 145th, next October 28) and the Salesian Family Spirituality Days (18-25 January 2015)

Events and celebrations are also envisaged in countries where the Salesians are; and if we include the 30 member groups of the Salesian Family, this means around 140 countries.

Nor should we overlook other events deeply connected with the Bicentenary such as the Extraordinary Exhibition of the Shroud, from April 29 to June 24, 2015, and the Pope's visit to Turin to honour Don Bosco's memory and venerate this icon of the Lord's passion. Evidently the Shroud exhibition is a different event from the Salesian celebrations but Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin has already said that it “was tied in with the Salesian Jubilee” and that it would take place in “an atmosphere of fraternal and mutual cooperation.”

Then finally we can recall that the Salesian Congregation will host 30 events coming from around the Salesian world in the Universal Expo in Milan (May 1st – October 31st), promoting educational issues where the Congregation is involved.

Published 15/08/2014