Rome (Italy). On 14 March 2026, in Rome, at the Cinema Teatro Don Bosco, the documentary “Don Bosco: The Saint of Youth and Sport” was presented, produced by the television platform Sky Sport in collaboration with the Salesian Youth Sports Associations (PGS).
“Don Bosco: The Saint of Youth and Sport” is a choral narrative told through the voices of those who have embraced the Saint’s spiritual legacy, voices emerging from the very oratories where his movement was born and flourished, and who have found in the Salesian Missions the most effective instrument for spreading his teachings throughout the world. It is a journey through parishes and local sports grounds, where the value of sport signifies inclusion, human connection, and individual growth. The storytelling is entrusted to those who have lived, and continue to live, within these environments firsthand every day, transforming play into an opportunity for encounter and personal enrichment.
The narrative journey is enriched by numerous authoritative testimonies, beginning with Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. These are joined by voices from the Salesian world, represented by the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Fr. Fabio Attard, and the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola. Also featured are contributions from Sr. Francesca Scibetta, the FMA national liaison for the PGS, and Fr. Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social, and the CNOS (National Center for Salesian Works) national liaison for the PGS. Fr. Francesco Motto, SDB, Director of the Association of Scholars of Salesian History, traced the life of Don Bosco and the reasons that led him to place oratories and sports at the very heart of his entire pastoral ministry.
The event, in which the documentary’s author, Tommaso Liguori (a former Salesian of Don Bosco and editor-in-chief at Sky Sport), introduced the work to those present, was attended by approximately 300 young people and numerous Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Taking the stage were Ciro Bisogno, President of PGS and Coordinator of CONI’s Sports Promotion Bodies; Sister Mara Tagliaferri, President of CIOFS; Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, General Councilor for Formation at the FMA Institute; Father Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social and CNOS National Liaison for PGS; Father Francesco Motto, Director of the Association of Scholars of Salesian History; and others. Also in attendance were Rossana Ciuffetti (Director of Sport Impact – Sport and Health), Donatella Minelli (Director of the School of Sport), Sister Francesca Scibetta (FMA National Liaison for PGS), and Father Josè Miguel Cardoso (Official at the Dicastery for Culture and Education and Head of the Sports Sector).
Also joining via video link were the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; the Editor-in-Chief of Sky Sport, Federico Ferri; and the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò.
After conveying the greetings of the Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, who is currently in Brazil for a visit to the BRE and BAP Provinces, Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, in her brief address, highlighted several charismatic aspects linked to the educational significance of sport:
During the last thirty-eight years of his life, Don Bosco developed the experience of the Oratory, an environment rich in life and activity, and deeply attentive to the social and cultural needs of his time. The Oratory was a place capable of responding to the needs of young people; the need for affection, friendship, joy, active living, community, participation, trust, and cultural and professional growth.
With a simple yet luminous formula, Don Bosco encapsulated the objective of his entire educational endeavor: to form good Christians and honest citizens. For this reason, even today, every educational choice, every activity, and every sporting discipline can contribute to the integral growth of the women and men of tomorrow, helping young people to cultivate responsibility, team spirit, respect, and solidarity.
The documentary features extensive contributions from Salesian Past Pupils. Among them are the President of the Italian Basketball Federation, Gianni Petrucci, and the President of the PGS, Ciro Bisogno; they are joined by Mauro Berruto, former head coach of the Italian national volleyball team and current Member of Parliament, and Meo Sacchetti, former head coach of the national basketball team, as well as journalist Francesco Giorgino. Completing this mosaic are the voices of coaches and athletes from both the past and present, including Watford footballer Edoardo Bove and volleyball player Valerio Vermiglio, a silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
“Don Bosco. The Saint of Youth and Sport” will air starting 21 Saturday March at 10:45 PM on Sky Sport Uno, in streaming on NOW, and also be available on demand.
Source: pgsitalia.org
Photos: Warehousemedia
