(ANS – Vatican City) - The Salesian community present at the Vatican yesterday, celebrated the 75th  Anniversary of their presence there. A community which serves with its two fundamental features of the charism of Don Bosco: dedication to the Holy Father and the Church and, in view of the duties undertaken, the care and the spreading of good press.

To commemorate the anniversary yesterday afternoon, the 3rd of October, a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in the Pauline chapel was celebrated, presided over by Cardinal. Tarcisio Bertone, SDB, the Vatican Secretary of State. Among the concelebrants there were also 6 other Cardinals  – among them Salesians, Angelo Amato and Renato Farina – and various bishops – including the Salesians, Mario Toso and Savio Hon Tai-fai. Also present were the Rector Major Fr Pascual Chavez, and his Vicar, Fr Adriano Bregolin; Fr Sergio Pellini, Rector of the Salesian community, with other members; the former Rectors Fr Elio Torregiani e Fr Pietro Migliasso, many Salesians, several of whom have served in the past in the community, many employees of Tipografia Vaticana and the L'Osservatore Romano. To animate the celebration was the Sistine Chapel Choir, directed by Fr Massimo Palombella; the altar servers were Salesian students from the San Tarcisio community in Rome.

In his homily Cardinal Bertone recalled some of the most significant moments of the 75 years of community and highlighted the two avenues of service: the ecclesial: for service in the Church's universal mission – and the lay: the fundamental presence of the Salesian coadjutors. The Secretary of State concluded by stressing the relevance of the Social commitment in view of the new drive required for evangelizing the faith.

Then, approximately 80 participants gathered in the Hall of the Academy of Sciences where there was an exhibition accompanied by some historical photographs. This was the time for the Rector Major to speak. He recalled the figure of Pope Pius XI and gratefully thanked all the Salesians who had served in the Vatican. He concluded, "I hope that the Salesian Congregation will always be worthy of the appreciation and expectation which the Pope and the Secretary of State have of this Salesian community and its work, so that it can cooperate effectively in the service of the Church".

The ceremony ended with a statement by the Deputy Director of the Osservatore Romano, Dr. Carlo di Cicco – expressing the gratitude of the lay staff and the Osservatore Romano to the community – and ending with a friendly meal.

The Salesians were called to the Vatican in 1937 by Pope Pius XI who, hoping to give drive to all areas of the newborn State – started in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty – decided to entrust to the Sons of Don Bosco la stampa vaticana. Pius XI had visited the Oratory of Valdocco when he was still just a young priest and was impressed by the commitment and the quality accomplished by the Salesians in the printing and editorial area. It was Pius XI who beatified Don Bosco in 1929 and canonized him on 1st  April 1934, Easter Day and the end of the Holy Year, as a sign of the special appreciation of the Pope for his image of holiness.

Until 1991, the Salesians have directed two printing-shops: Vatican Polyglot and that of L'Osservatore Romano. Since 1992, the renewed agreement between the Secretary of State and the Salesian Congregation, signed by Cardinal Angelo Sodano and the Rector Major, Fr. Egidio Viganò, has created a unique body and a single administration. The Salesians have several important roles: the Executive Board, the commercial management, technical management and the management in the photography area.

Altogether there have been 75 Salesians who have stayed in the Leonine city in recent years: 10 Rectors and many coadjutors, competent professionals and experts in the art of printing. The present religious community reflects the same composition: the Rector, Fr Pellini, is joined by 5 Salesian coadjutors.

Published 04/10/2012