(ANS - Rome) - The Salesian Family of Lazio marked the feast of St. John Bosco in the year of the bicentenary of his birth with two celebrations scheduled for January 31 at the Opera Don Bosco. One took place in the theatre with various testimonies and movies. The other was the Eucharistic celebration in the Temple of Don Bosco presided over by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar for the Diocese of Rome.

The Salesian Family of Lazio celebrated the feast of St. John Bosco in the year of the bicentenary of his birth on the evening of Saturday 31 January in the Opera Don Bosco located in the Don Bosco district of Rome. The festivities began in the theatre with a succession of testimonies and movies that highlighted the relevance of the person of Don Bosco, prophetically active in the history of the nineteenth century and in the history of today.

The Rector Major, successor of Don Bosco, gave his message through the screening of the video of the Strenna for 2015: Like Don Bosco, with the young, for the young. Bishop Domenico Sigalini of Palestrina; Benedetta Rinaldi, past pupil and television host; and Fr Leonardo Mancini, Superior of the Salesians in Central Italy took turns on stage with their testimonies, led by two young Salesians, Domenic Alcudia and Pierpaolo Galota.

Numerous Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Lazio and some Cardinals, Titulars of Roman basilicas run by Salesian communities were present. It goes without saying that both functions were attended by many Salesians from Central Italy and from the Generalate and the Salesian Pontifical University.

A choir of students from the school of Frascati Villa Sora, conducted by Maestro Matteo del Vecchioperformed in the theatre, and the parish choir of Don Bosco, conducted by Maestro Maurizio Marchettini, sang at the Eucharistic celebration. The Celebration in the Temple of Don Bosco was presided over by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar for the Diocese of Rome.

The Temple of Don Bosco was packed. With a large scaffolding under the dome due to maintenance work in the main cupola, it looked like the Pinardi shed.

Summaries of the celebrations in the theatre and the Temple are accessible on the Youtube channel of the District of Central Italy under the title “ICC - BICENTENARIO DI DON BOSCO A ROMA”.

Published 05/02/2015