In the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the appointments for the Salesian month par excellence had already begun with the three evenings of reflection and study of the Dream at Nine Years of Age, led respectively by the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Fr Andrea Bozzolo, Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, and Fr Francesco Motto, member of the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) in Rome.
It will continue tomorrow afternoon, 24 January, the Feast of St Francis de Sales, with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Rector Major, starting at 6:30 pm (UTC+1). Then, on Saturday evening, 27 January, at 9 pm, the concert in honour of Don Bosco is scheduled in the Basilica, and will be performed by the philharmonic orchestra from the "Cavour" high school in Turin.
The celebrations will come into full swing on Tuesday, 30 January. They will begin at 5 pm with the Rosary led by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and presided over by Fr Vincenzo Trotta, Vice-Rector of the Basilica; this will be followed, at 6 pm, by the Evening Mass celebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Turin, Bishop Alessandro Giraudo. In the evening, from 7 pm, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, will preside over First Vespers, which will be followed by the Vigil to Don Bosco, led by the Salesian novices. During the Vigil, there will also be the opportunity for confessions.
The day of 31 January, the Solemnity of Don Bosco, will be particularly intense and full of significant events. In the morning several Masses will be celebrated: for the people, presided over by Fr Michele Viviano, Rector of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians; for religious, presided over by Fr Michele Roselli, Episcopal Vicar for formation in the Diocese of Turin and Susa; for the young people from Salesian schools, presided over by Fr Leonardo Mancini, Superior of the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta (ICP); and again for the people, celebrated this time by Archbishop Roberto Repole, archbishop of Turin and bishop of Susa.
In the afternoon, after the blessing of the young people at the altar of Don Bosco, Vespers and another Mass for the people, the long-awaited Mass for the Salesian Youth Movement will be celebrated by the Vicar of the Rector Major. Subsequently, at 9 pm, Mass will be celebrated with SERMIG, the Youth Mission Service.
The celebrations will end in February, with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr Ugo Pozzoli, Episcopal Vicar for Religious Life, on the occasion of the Day of Consecrated Life, celebrated on 2 February.
And also at Colle Don Bosco, preparations are underway for the Solemnity of St John Bosco on 31 January. This will begin on 27 January, with the Mass presided over by the Rector, Fr Ezio Maria Orsini, and with the subsequent promise by some Salesian Cooperators. Many events are also scheduled for Sunday, 28 January, among which the 5:00 pm Mass stands out, to be celebrated by Fr Stefano Martoglio.
On the evening of Tuesday 30th, also at Colle Don Bosco, the faithful will gather for the Vigil to Don Bosco, in preparation for the feast day.
The feast of Don Bosco will then reach its culmination on 31 January, where two significant events emerge: the solemn Mass presided over by Bishop Cristiano Bodo, bishop of Saluzzo, at 11 am; and the solemn Mass at 5 pm, which will be celebrated by Fr Genesio Tarasco, Rector of the San Luigi Institute in Chieri.
More information is available by consulting the event posters, which can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
