At the opening of the celebration Fr. Ezio Orsini, Rector of the Basilica, thanked the Rector Major, the authorities, and the faithful present at the event. In his homily, the Rector Major also thanked the faithful for their love for Don Bosco, and with them also all the civil authorities of the Province of Asti present, asserting that their presence was more than formal, and was revealing of their love for Don Bosco and the Salesian Congregation.

Reflecting on the first reading, from the prophet Zephaniah, he recalled that God favors the humble and the little ones and fulfills his plans through them. Don Bosco came from the Becchi, a remote and humble village that hardly offered possibilities for a great future; he had to face many challenges, but God's finger was at work in his life and God's hand guided him to make a dream come true, a dream that is still being fulfilled all over the world.

As Rector Major, he related he had visited more than 112 countries and had direct contact with Don Bosco's mission spread all over the continents, and he said that this mission truly testifies to the work done by God through Don Bosco, which gives hope to thousands of boys.

Commenting on the day's Gospel on the Beatitudes, he added that everyone desires happiness: some try to seek it in power, possessions, the latest gadgets, and worldly things, but they soon realize that these things are not satisfying. “True happiness,” he added, “comes from the Lord, from the Word of God, from practicing the Gospel values of humility, love, compassion, peace, justice...”

During the Mass, 35 Salesian Cooperators renewed their promise, and after the Eucharist, the Rector Major congratulated them, before meeting the authorities from the Province of Asti.

The Mayor of Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Antonio Rago, introduced the authorities to the Rector Major and thanked them for their presence. The Rector Major, for his part, praised their affection for Don Bosco and the Salesian Congregation and assured them of his prayers. He then presented each one with a book on St. Artemide Zatti, the new saint of the Salesian Family.

In conclusion, Fr. Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, Director of the community, thanked those present, urged the authorities to continue the collaboration, and invited everyone to continue the celebration with a moment of fraternal agape.

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