(ANS - Turin) - The celebration at the Teatro Regio in Turin on Saturday 24 January was the most fitting tribute Italy could possibly have paid to Don Bosco in recognition of the great civil value of his pastoral activity.

Antonio Rocco Labanca

A memorable talk-show, capably directed by Gigi Cotichella, recalled the human and public aspects of the life of the founder of the Salesians.  This was part of a three-hour spectacular. A hundred young actors took to the stage. Each of them was as good as two, so they represented the two hundred years that have passed since his birth in 1815! In the audience were representatives of the highest political and business institutions, evidence of the relevance today of the message embodied in the life of the priest from Castelnuovo d'Asti.

The attendance included Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin;  Fr Enrico Stasi, Superior of the Special Circumscription of Piedmont-Valle d'Aosta; Piero Fassino, Mayor of Turin; Sergio Chiamparino, President of the Region of Piedmont;  and Luigi Bobba, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, representing the Government. A message was read from the former president of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. Among other things he said: "the message of love and enthusiasm for life that Don Bosco was able to convey, is now more than ever relevant for each of us and for the entire community."

 Many artists and speakers were involved, each of them presenting a different aspect of Don Bosco and his pedagogy. Members of the business community and representatives of local cultural groups expressed the interest and the expectations of the whole nation.

A graphic projected on the back of the stage served to unify the various moments of the commemoration, bringing together the many ideas inspired by the multifaceted figure of St. John Bosco.

The event ended with a lengthy interview by the director of the newspaper "La Stampa", Mario Calabresi, with Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. In this way the commemoration became also a blueprint for the future of Salesian educational ministry – a pledge to work for the defence of children's rights around the world and in all contexts. "In this time of crisis, we believe in young people," the Rector Major concluded, "and for us the best gift is to take care of the young."

Published 26/01/2015