The celebrations for the anniversary took place throughout the weekend of 18-19 May 2024 and included several stages: the 13th Family Picnic organised by the school community; the Night of the Museums, during which those who wished could visit the Salesian institute, the school, the basement, the sanctuary and the St Hyacinth Chapel; the meeting of the Salesian Past Pupils Association; and the official closing celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the school.
" It was wonderful – bosko in Polish! There is no doubt that St John Bosco swas looking down from Heaven with particular pride on the city of Oświęcim, of which he is also the patron!” Fr Łukasz Wójcik, SDB said enthusiastically. The family picnic manifested the usual Salesian joy, seasoned by many attractions and a great fraternity among the hundreds of people, young and old, who came for the occasion.
During the picnic concerts, prizes, games, the good food and the numerous cultural and sports offers meant that everyone could find something that interested them. Throughout the day there were performances by talented young people, performances by the school orchestra and various dance groups, martial arts demonstrations, workshops for dog training...
The Family Picnic event in Oświęcim has also become very popular with artists and local organisations over the years, who therefore spontaneously want to show off their skills. In this way, the stature of the event increases even more and an even greater number of participants is attracted.
At the initiative of the Parents' Council, the Management of Salesian Schools in Oświęcim and the entire Educative and Pastoral Community, on Saturday 18 May the school opened its doors to everyone, allowing visitors a more in-depth knowledge of this milestone in Polish Salesian history.
The main celebrations of the Jubilee took place, however, on Sunday 19 May, within the walls of the school and the shrine dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. After some time for the welcome and the possibility for past pupils to remember past times, all guests were invited to the theatre hall, where an academy for the anniversary took place.
The activity was opened by a short conference on the history of Salesian educational activities in Oświęcim, by Fr Waldemar Żurek, SDB, of the Catholic University of Lublin, interspersed with music from the Salesian Past Pupils' group and the songs of the "Auxilium" choir.
Iwona Gibas, from the Board of Directors of Małopolska Voivodeship, presented the Directors of the work and the School with the "Polonia Minor" award from the Marshal of Małopolska Voivodeship for their educational activities. On the occasion, Katarzyna Mitka, School Superintendent, and Janusz Chwierut, Mayor of the city of Oświęcim, also expressed their appreciation and congratulated the leadership and staff of the Salesian educational institutions of the city, also giving some gifts.
At the end, those present attended the theatrical performance of the young people fronm the Salesian hostel – the "Qui pro quo" group directed by Mrs. Róża Grzywacz, who staged the opera "Romeo and Juliet, the six days that shook the world".
Then, during the solemn Mass, concelebrated among others by Fr Marcin Kaznowski, Superior of the Province of Krakow – and presided over and with the homily of Fr Marek Studenski, Vicar General of the diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec, who represented the Ordinary of the diocese, Archbishop Roman Pindel – all those present thanked God for the 125 years of Don Bosco's Dream in Oświęcim.
The weekend of celebration finally ended with a fraternal outdoor agape.
"It was great to be here together with the entire school and city community: this memory will remain with us forever. Thanks to the guests and artists who enriched this celebration! We are grateful for the beautiful things that have been happening here for 125 years, and we must always remember that it is our stories that create this place", concluded the organisers.
Currently the Salesian school complex of Oświęcim includes the Salesian public secondary school (high school), Salesian public technical school and public vocational school.
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