(ANS – Bologna) – The Salesian community and parish church of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, in Bologna, beside the Salesian Institute Beata Vergine di San Luca, celebrated on Sunday 21st  October, the centenary of the consecration of the Shrine from which, even today, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus spreads.

The centennial celebration coincides with the opening of the Diocesan Year of Faith.

The Memorial Mass was presided over by the Vicar of the Bishop of Bologna, Mons. John Silvagni. Also present were the parish priest Fr Anthony Rota, Director of the Salesian Institute, Fr Gianni Danes, the Salesians and thousands of parishioners. For the occasion, the entirely restored chapel of the baptismal font had been re-opened and those present renewed their baptismal promises.

Salesians arrived in Bologna at the initiative of Card. Domenico Svampa, who wished to be included among the Salesians and Cooperators and who on February 22nd , 1897, at the laying of the first stone of the Salesian Institute, in the presence of the civil authorities, the Blessed Fr. Michael Rua, Don Bosco's successor, and over ten thousand participants, said: "the Sons of Don Bosco will ensure with zeal and love the wise upbringing of the children of the people and prepare a better generation in Bologna".

The same Card. Svampa, following the invitation of Pope Leo XIII to consecrate to the Sacred Heart the individual Dioceses and the Nations, took the initiative to erect, right next to the Salesian Institute, this artistic monument on behalf of all Catholic Christians of Italy. The design was entrusted to one of the most successful architects of the period, the architect Collamarini, who inspired by the great Byzantine basilicas, provided a large dome 63 metres high and, respecting the Bolognese tradition wanted it to appear as a red brick embroidery.

On October 16, 1912, the Archbishop of Bologna, , Mons. Giacomo Della Chiesa, the future Pope Benedict XV, solemnly consecrated the new church dedicated to the Sacred Heart which, together with the Madonna di San Luca, soon became for all of Bologna,  the yearly pilgrimage destination.

The Shrine was renovated in the 30s by a great Salesian, Fr. Antonio Gavinelli, who rebuilt the collapsed dome, due to an earthquake in 1929, and enriched it with paintings, altars and 134 magnificent stained glass windows, creations by Nardi. Finally they repaired the damage due to a bombing raid in 1943.

In the sanctuary, in addition to daily services offered to the faithful, there are two realities that sustain and spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart, so dear to Don Bosco. The first is the Opera Sacro Cuore (see website), an association founded in 1930 using – the second special initiative – the "Sacred Heart" magazine to get tens of thousands of people involved in Italy and around the world, including religious communities in particular, to be part of a "network of people who pray for each other" with spiritual appointment at 08:00 every day when, for all members, the Eucharist is celebrated at the altar of the Sacred Heart.

Published 25/10/2012