The initiative is part of the rich program of celebrations dedicated to Don Bosco at the Roman parish, which will begin on 22 January with the 6:00 pm celebration presided over by Fr Mauro Mantovani, SDB, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library and Rector Magnificus Emeritus of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). From 22 to 31 January – the real feast day of Don Bosco – every day there will be a celebration presided over by Bishops, Cardinals, Parish Priests, Salesians, to underline the attention paid to the Patron Saint.
"As we do every year, we try to offer the faithful and the entire community of the parish territory a journey made up of religious celebrations and artistic, cultural and socio-political meetings, designed to pay homage to our holy founder and to develop collaboration and shared responsibility in our community. This is perhaps one of the best possible ways to carry on Don Bosco's dream 200 years later" the Rector and Parish Priest of the community, Fr Roberto Colameo commented.
Specifically, for the celebration of 24 January, the Feast of St Francis de Sales, the Mass will be celebrated by Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General of the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, and will be followed by a meeting of the local Salesian Family, on the theme: "The beauty of the Gospel according to the Salesian charism".
For the triduum of preparation and the day of the feast itself, the Eucharistic concelebrations will be presided over by Bishop Michele di Tolve, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome (Sunday 28 January); Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa (Monday 29th); Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop Emeritus of Perugia-Città della Pieve (Tuesday 30th); and Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Wednesday 31st).
Among the many extra-liturgical events, it is worth noting the presence of Fr Luigi Ciotti, President of "Libera", who on 23 January, after the Eucharistic celebration at 6:00 pm, will meet the citizens at the Cinema Teatro Don Bosco. The title of the event, with free admission, is "Legality is the tool to achieve justice".
On 27 January at 7:00 pm in the Basilica, after celebrating the Eucharist at 6:00 pm, Fr Giulio Albanese – Director of the Office of Social Communications and Missionary Cooperation between the Churches of the Diocese of Rome – will hold a meeting on the subject of "There is No Peace without Justice".
Finally, a place for music and culture, with aby concert of the Navy Band, Sunday, 28 January at 4:30 pm; and the concert of voices and music in honour of Don Bosco held by the Maria Ausiliatrice Choir, Tuesday, 30 January at 6:00 pm – events that will take place in the Basilica.
On 31 January, the Basilica itself will be open to the public, with guided tours scheduled at 11:30, 12:15 and 4:30 pm.
