The first moment of the celebratory programme - entitled "With grateful heart" - will be Mass in the Church of St Francis of Sales at 6.00 p.m. local time. The evening will continue with a prayer vigil in Don Bosco's rooms.
Saturday, the exact day of the 100th anniversary of the vows professed by the first three VDBs, will also be a day of thanksgiving. After Morning Prayer in community and a word of welcome from the leader, Olga K., the workshops will begin on the founder, Fr Philip Rinaldi; the first Sisters; the path of the VDB.
In the afternoon, after the address of the Regional Leader, there will be time for the launch of a book on the history of the institute, by Ortensia Barbarino, followed by various testimonies and a video titled "e spiccarono il volo... and they took off in flight.” The final address will be given by the Leader on "100 Years for God and the World." The day will end with the Eucharist and an evening of fraternity.
"Together as a Salesian Family" will be the theme on Sunday, the last of the three days. Among those taking part will be Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians; Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; Noemi Bertola, World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators; Maria Maghini, World President of the FMA Past Pupils, and Darwin Petit, World Delegate of the Volunteers with Don Bosco.
The morning will continue with a report on the history of the Institute given by Ortensia Barbarino, and the Sunday Eucharist in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians presided over by the Rector Major.
In the afternoon, new interventions by the World VDB Head on "Secular Salesian Consecration Today" are expected; The Rector Major, who will present his "Letter to the VDB"; and Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, General Postulator of the Causes of the Saints of the Salesian Family, on the figure of Don Rinaldi.
A theatrical performance in the Teatro Piccolo Valdocco will close the solemn centenary celebrations.
