Italy – The General Pastoral Coordinators of Spain's St James the Greater Province in the land of Don Bosco
Turin, Italy – February 2024 - "Return to Don Bosco" was the motto chosen for the Retreat for the Youth Ministry General Coordinators of the Salesians in Spain's St James the Greater Province (SSM), held from 16 to 23 February. The 46 participants, including four lay people, accompanied by the Rector Major Emeritus, Fr Pascual Chávez, went to Valdocco, Turin, the place where the Salesian work was born. Fr Xabier Camino, Youth Ministry Delegate for the SSM Province, organised the meeting, emphasising that "this year, marked by the bicentenary of young John Bosco's dream at 9 years of age, we wanted to have this experience in Valdocco (...) to shed light on the present and project the future starting from the origins, in fidelity to the Salesian charism." After the first day of reflection at Colle Don Bosco and Chieri, the rest of the days took place at the Salesian Mother House in Valdocco. Every day Fr Chávez led a reflection, in the morning and in the afternoon, followed by a moment of reflection. Moments of prayer, the Eucharist and some significant visits to the house at Valdocco, completed the program. The Retreat ended on 23 February with the Mass presided over by Fr Camino in the chapel located in what were the rooms where Don Bosco lived, now part of the Don Bosco House Museum. The next day Fr Chávez presided at Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.