(ANS – Pucallpa) –On August 16^th, the day of the Bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth, a temple dedicated to the saint of the young was inaugurated and consecrated in Puccalpa city, in the centre of Peruvian Amazonia.

The temple will help radiate the charism of the father and teacher of the youth. Pucallpa is a fast developing city, located in the core of the Peruvian jungle. The city is also the see of an Apostolic Vicariate that Pope Benedict in 2008 entrusted to the pastoral care of the Salesian Congregation and to Msgr. Gaetano Galbusera.

Salesians, since their arrival, opened a presence is a difficult suburban area, building a multi-functional hall which they called “Pinardi Chapel”, because it was inaugurated on April 12^th 2009, on Easter day, the same day on which Don Bosco inaugurated Cappella Pinardi in 1846.

The Salesian presence is strengthened with a junior high school called “Colegio Don Bosco”, with a vocational school for carpenters called “Taller Don Bosco” and with the creation of a few oratories, like the “San Domingo Savio” one.

Msgr. Galbusera recounted to ANS, “The Temple is the Don Bosco parish church. The construction commences as a dream and we did not think we might be able to complete it by the date of the Bicentenary. Actually, the name of Don Bosco drew the attention of many devotees of the Saint, of past pupils and benefactors who made it possible for this dream to come true. Don Bosco’s appeal continues to conquer attention and hearts”.

The celebration was presided over by the Salesian bishop, Msgr. Gaetano Galbusera, in the presence of numerous priests of the Vicariate and of the Parish Priest Fr. Massimo Mattarucchi, a great devotee of Don Bosco’s. Msgr. Galbusera said, “It was an extraordinary feast for the great presence of youth who celebrated the Bicentenary with games, concerts, and moments of prayer and devotion… This will be the church of the youth”.

It is a large, octagonal church, with 12 paintings inspired by Don Bosco’s life. The sanctuary is an artistic work done by the “artesanos Don Bosco” (Don Bosco craftsmen) of ‘Operazione Mato Grosso’ and represents the dream of the two columns: an altar in the shape of a boat, and two columns on which the tabernacle of the Eucharist and the statue of Mary Help of Christians can be seen. The great devotions of Don Bosco, so relevant even today for the Congregation and the entire Salesian Family.      

Published 27/08/2015