(ANS - Rome) - The Feast of Don Bosco in the Bicentenary Year – what better time for the Superiors and Coordinators of the various groups of the Salesian Family to gather in Turin to celebrate as a family the origin of their charism and to renew their commitment to journey together. Their meeting is scheduled for next weekend, on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February.

The various leaders of the Salesian Family will gather from early morning for a common prayer in the Pinardi Chapel. After prayer there will be a word of welcome from Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco and tenth successor of Don Bosco.  This will be followed by a time of sharing and then the video of the Salesian Family will be screened.

The morning will continue with a visit to the places where Don Bosco’s Salesian spirit was born and grew: Valdocco, the various chapels, the printing press, Don Bosco’s rooms, and, in the afternoon, the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

On the afternoon of 31 January there will be some significant contributions: first Fr José Pastor Ramírez will explain the functions and purpose of the Secretariat of the Salesian Family just recently set up by the General Council of the Salesians. He will also speak about the role of the Central Delegate of the Salesian Family and the leadership programme for the current six-year period.

All the leaders will together make a profession of communion and belonging to Don Bosco, the Salesian Family and the Church. Later there will be a discussion on the shared realities and challenges of the Salesian Family. Mass in honour of St. John Bosco will be celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

The celebration, presided over by the Rector Major, will begin at 6.30 p.m. (GMT + 1) and will be broadcast on Telepace and via streaming www.sdb.org

On Sunday morning 1 February, there will be an opportunity to visit Colle Don Bosco, the Museum of Chieri and the Basilica of Don Bosco. Fr Á.F. Artime will again preside at the Eucharist. In the afternoon there will be will further study of the book on the Salesian Family and the presentation of the Strenna for 2015, on the theme "Like Don Bosco, with young people and for young people."

The Salesian iNfo Agency will report on the progress of this special weekend of Salesian celebrations; updates will be provided in real time via Twitter channels of the agency, in Italian, English and Spanish.

Published 27/01/2015