The Salesian community welcomed the participants at the opening ceremony and greeted them. After watching a video showing the facilities and options available in the house, the institutional act began. The first to speak was Fr José Miguel Núñez, who, as Rector of the Salesian National Centre for Youth Ministry, coordinated the event. He recalled the long and fruitful history of Salesian Youth Ministry in Spain. The former Don Bosco House was founded in Madrid in 1944 80 years ago, and among its objectives was immediately to be a place of reflection and exploration of Salesian Youth Ministry in Spain, to host the Salesian Bulletin and with it the Central Catequística Salesiana publishing house (CCS).
The former Salesian house has now moved into modern and functional structures in the Ensanche de Vallecas district. After several years of work, the opening and blessing of the premises took place on 12 October, in a moving ceremony.
Fr Núñez thanked both provincials for the efforts made to make a leap in quality and quantity with the new headquarters. He expressly mentioned Fr José Manuel González (Lolo) for his dedication over several years to the development and completion of the works. He envisaged a future that, taking up the achievements of the past, opens up new horizons. He described the different sectors and people who work in this Salesian house: the National Centre for Youth Ministry with its areas: the Confederation of Youth Centres, the Coordination of Social Platforms, the Salesian Schools, the "Misión Joven" magazine; the Delegation for Communication and for the Salesian Family, the CCS Publishing House; and the premises to host courses and formation meetings.
He stressed the importance of creating an educative and pastoral community with the Salesian community of the house, imbued with the charism of Don Bosco.
Salesian Provincials Fr Fernando García and Fr Fernando Miranda, Superior of the Provinces of Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX) respectively, then took the floor to stress the promising future that begins with the opening of these new premises: they will be used for the formation of Salesians and the thousands of lay people who currently share the Salesian charism in Salesian houses in Spain.
The Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, was also present for the occasion through a video message in which he encouraged people to continue working in this key area of reception and formation. Fr Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Salesian Region, closed the speeches with words of hope for the new possibilities offered by Don Bosco house in Madrid.
The official speeches then gave way to the religious celebration of the blessing of the premises; a prayer of gratitude for the past and commitment to the future, with the desire to help make these premises effectively "the house of Don Bosco".
After an in-depth visit to the various environments, the participants concluded the opening ceremony with a shared dinner.
The Salesian community at Don Bosco house in Madrid was also grateful for the presence of Fr Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Lombard Emilian Province, and Fr Leonardo Mancini, Superior of the Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta Special Circumscription, as well as the Director of the National Salesian Youth Pastoral Centre of Italy, Fr Elio Cesari – in Madrid for the seminar on First Announcement and Inter-religious Dialogue.
Thanks were also extended to the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Madrid, the architect and the builder, the representatives of the CCS publishing house, members of the Salesian Family, whose presence helped to make the Don Bosco house in Madrid a house with open doors from the moment of its inauguration.
More information is available on the website: https://casadonbosco.madrid/
Source: Salesianos.info
