(ANS - Bologna) – There has been an exceptional find of great historical but especially spiritual value, in the Salesian Institute of the Blessed Virgin of St Luke in Bologna. It is a parchment, signed by Cardinal Svampa and Blessed Michael Rua, the Successor of Don Bosco, during the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Institute on 22 February 1897. (This is the date in the archives, but thanks to this discovery we now know it should be March). It was put in a lead cylinder, sealed and placed in the cornerstone of the foundations.

Fr Luca Indraccolo, SDB

The renovation of the building in recent months, to reinforce some parts of the foundation of the Institute, led to this exceptional  discovery which was immediately announced by the Rector Fr Gianni Danes. The news was reported on the Facebook page of the Salesian Institution of Bologna and in a tweet from the official account of the Salesians of Lombardy and Emilia.

The text, in Latin, is clearly legible, and says: "DOMINICUS SVAMPA CARD. ARCHIEP. S. R. I. PRINCEPS VIII. cal. mart. a. MDCCCXCVII. lapidem auspicalem Ephebei Salesians rite statuit, Nicolao Socket Episc. Sebasteno vice sacred antistes, Michaele Rua summo Salesianae Sodalitatis magistro, Order populoque DEUM. O. MAX. coram comprecantibus, ut opus eius Bonori, tenuiorum utilitati susceptum, benign numine proveberet, provectum custodivet."

The translation is as follows: "Cardinal Archbishop Domenico Svampa, Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, 7 March 1897 (7^th of the calends of March), solemnly laid the foundation stone of the Salesian School for Boys, in the presence of Nicola Zoccoli, (Titular Bishop of Sebaste, Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Bologna), Michael Rua, the Rector Major and members  of the Salesian order, and the people, united in prayer to God Most High, so that this work will be built and remain in his honour, and for the benefit of young people."

This prayer is renewed today, particularly in this Bicentenary year, that the Salesians may continue tirelessly to form new generations of good Christians and honest citizens, as did St. John Bosco and his sons who gave their lives for the young people who have attended the Institute of the Blessed Virgin of St Luke in Bologna since its foundation.

Published 10/10/2014