(ANS - Nice) – In 1875 Nice became the first city in France to have a Salesian community.  Now in 2015 Nice has celebrated the Bicentenary of Don Bosco in style: on the occasion of the traditional feast of Mary Help of Christians, on 25 May, the Fondation Don Bosco put on a festive parade and organized a day of celebration.

by Rémi Favresse

At 11.30, as the bells were ringing for the end of Mass, Bishop André Marceau Nice invited the Salesians and all who are inspired by Don Bosco, to "bring his work to life in our world today."

In front of the Church of Mary Help of Christians, the faithful discovered a float with the image of Don Bosco. Then, to the rhythm of the percussion group Pangea, the procession advanced to the site of the rally.

Bernard Chastang, Director of the Fondation Don Bosco of Nice explained: "When we started thinking about the celebrations for the Bicentenary, we thought back to Don Bosco, when he came in person to Nice in 1875.  Did he not come to meet the people of Nice? Therefore, it was natural for us to go to meet them, especially now that the momentum has increased with Pope Francis inviting us to move out from our churches."

So the parade reached a packed Piazza Garibaldi, a few dozen metres from Piazza Victor, where Don Bosco started his first work in France, "in a small textile factory that was abandoned."  On this occasion the square was filled with stands and pavilions to inform passers-by of "what is characteristic of our house - the support we give to young people through a double project, in sports and in vocational training," continued the Director.

Throughout the day various groups of students came on stage to display their artistic qualities and talents, while the children had fun in a playground specially designed for them. Everything was supervised and coordinated through the efforts of 180 staff members and volunteers.

"What we wanted to present to Nice,” concluded Mr. Chastang, “is a message of hope. We live in a society that, unfortunately, does not always look on young people with love. 200 years after the birth of Don Bosco we bring his way of looking at young people - a look of benevolence, a look of hope."

Published 10/06/2015