(ANS - Roma) - The visit of Salesian Bishops to the places of Don Bosco (Turin, 21-25 May) is one of the major international events of this Year of the Bicentenary. It is now just less than a month away. The Rector Major Emeritus, Fr Pascual Chávez invited them and the invitation was confirmed by the Rector Major Fr Ángel Férnandez Artime. It will be a useful forum for exchange, sharing and enrichment, but also a spiritual and charismatic experience for all the participants.

For the Salesian Cardinals and Bishops who participate, the activities will begin on Thursday 21 May, with the communal recitation of Vespers, the greeting of the Rector Major and a common Marian prayer in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

The next day, early in the morning, the Salesian Bishops will concelebrate the Eucharist in the Cathedral of Turin, before the Holy Shroud, together with Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin. They will hear a meditation by Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, Postulator for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, on "The Holiness of the Salesian Bishop". This will be followed by a reflection by the Rector Major on the theme of GC27 "Witnesses of evangelical radicalism", which is also the theme of the Bishops’ meeting.

In the afternoon, they will resume with a reflection on the Year of Consecrated Life and the Promotion of Consecrated Life in the Diocese. The day will end with a concert by the Choir of the Sistine Chapel, conducted by Msgr. Massimo Palombella, SDB.

On Saturday 23 May, they well be at Colle Don Bosco and the focus will be on the third nucleus of reflection which is priestly formation in the light of Don Bosco’s Formation in the Seminary in Chieri and the Ecclesiastical College. This will be followed by Mass in the Basilica of Don Bosco at Colle, and, in the evening, the opportunity to participate in the Vigil in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

Sunday 24 May is Pentecost Sunday. After a lectio divina on The Holy Spirit and Mary in the Church, the Salesian Bishops will have another opportunity to concelebrate Mass with Archbishop Nosiglia. In the afternoon they will visit the Salesian places – the Pinardi Chapel, the Church of St. Francis de Sales, Don Bosco's rooms and the Tombs of the Rector Majors.  Then the Rector Major will preside at a second Eucharist, which will be followed by the traditional procession of Mary Help of Christians.

The Feast of Mary Help of Christians will be celebrated on Monday 25 May with the Eucharist in the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady. Then the Bishops will study the fourth and final core theme - the life of the Church today, with an analysis of the leadership of Pope Francis – followed by the conclusions and the farewell message of the Rector Major.

Published 22/04/2015