Rome (Italy). Don Bosco and his charism are not only the patrimony of the Salesian Family but of all of humanity.
On the occasion of the celebration of St. John Bosco on January 31, 2018, there were numerous homages given to Don Bosco by people of every reality and context.
We are reporting the words of Pope Francis at the end of the Wednesday General Audience, and of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
After guiding the catechesis on the dialog between God and His people, the Holy Father referred to Don Bosco and indicated him as a model for various social categories: “Today we remember Saint John Bosco, father and teacher of youth. Dear young people, look to him as the exemplary educator. You, dear sick people, following his example always trust in Christ crucified. And you, dear newlyweds, have recourse to his intercession to take on your conjugal mission with generous commitment”.
President Mattarella dedicated a lengthy presentation on the figure of Don Bosco on the 130th anniversary of his death.
“Today is the 130th anniversary of the death of John Bosco, priest Founder of the Salesians and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, an educator that Italian society has had the opportunity to appreciate for his attention to the young, for his passion, for his commitment to help many people in conditions of degrading poverty and marginalization.
His humble origins were, in the life of Don Bosco, a root from which he drew permanent orientation. His intelligence, his social skills, his great organizational skills, inspired by evangelical witness, were directed to the realization of works that have reached a large number of young people, of working youth, of the very young, offering them precious spaces of welcome, education, training, solidarity, individual and community growth. He knew how to make the social question his own and build increasing spaces for citizenship.
In many parts of Italy and of the world, the imprint of Don Bosco and of the congregations promoted by him, is still alive. Many Italians owe the Salesians some of their culture, of their formation as citizens. The continuity of Don Bosco’s works represents a contribution to social cohesion and progress, values that enrich a country, and help the whole community to face the challenges of the times “.
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