Turin, Italy – March 2025 – On March 3, a memorial Mass was held at Ferrante Aporti (Juvenile detention centre, Turin) in honour of Fr. Domenico Ricca, affectionately known as "Don Meco," the historic chaplain of the centre, one year after his passing. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Luigi Ciotti, who paid tribute to Don Ricca’s 40 years of dedicated service as chaplain of the institute. "You always extended your hand to everyone," Don Ciotti recalled. "You were the chaplain for all, a tireless sentinel of the Gospel and a defender of the Constitution, ensuring that punishment became an opportunity for rehabilitation for your boys, whom you never stopped guiding even after they left these walls."

Don Meco often said that his boys had simply been born into the wrong cradle, and in the spirit of Don Bosco’s teachings, he sought in each of them that accessible point of strength to help them overcome their struggles and shed the labels of "troublemaker" or "delinquent.” The Mass was attended by several dignitaries, including Emma Avezzù, Prosecutor for Minors in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta, along with educators, officers, young detainees, volunteers, Fr. Ricca’s relatives, and Salesians. Among them were Fr. Silvano Oni, the current chaplain, Fr. Michele Molinar, ICP Vice Provincial, and Fr. Alberto Goia, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry.

Fr. Goia highlighted that Fr. Ricca’s legacy of supporting vulnerable youth lives on through the first edition of a literary award dedicated in his honour. A special section of this competition is reserved for the young inmates at Ferrante Aporti. The call for entries and the application form are available online at: www.terzosettorepiemonte.it/progetto/premio-letterario-meco