Chile – Industrial School in Copiapó and inauguration of first "Pre-University Don Bosco" in Santiago

21 May 2019

(ANS - Santiago) - Without a doubt, young people are the first witnesses of the growth of the Salesian Congregation and of the service that the Salesians of Don Bosco carry out for the formation of future generations. Recently in Chile, two interesting initiatives took place: the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the "St Domenico Savio" building of the future Salesian Industrial School of Copiapó; and the launch of the first "Pre-University Don Bosco", a 100%-free initiative promoted by the Silva Henríquez Catholic University.

The future school will include courses for electricians, scientific laboratories, electronics, automotive mechanics and industrial mechanics, and the construction of the "Don Bosco Hall".

"The only sense in which the Salesian Province has spent a lot of time and money to fulfill this stage is nothing more than to fix our gaze on young people as Don Bosco would have done," said Fr Juan Pablo Moreno, Director of the House of Copiapó. "For young people, always the best, so that they can grow and develop as quality people and professionals."

In addition to laying the first stone, a wooden box with several symbolic objects was lowered into the foundations, including: images of Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians, Domenico Savio and Mamma Margherita, school signs, a 2019 school calendar, several coins, a pencil, a new notebook and a copy of the construction plan. Fr José Toledo, Provincial Economer, then blessed the first stone and the place where the new building will be built.

Furthermore, last May 4, another initiative was held in favor of the education of young people on the occasion of the inauguration of the first "Pre-University Don Bosco". A 100%-free initiative promoted by the Salesian Province, by the Silva Henríquez Catholic University (UCSH) and by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), which will be used to prepare the children of the Salesian institutes of the last years of the secondary schools ahead of university entrance.

This initiative, which in this first edition will welcome 70 students, is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between Salesian works, as stated by the director Francisco de Ferari, who said he reserved "many hopes in this pre-university center. We know that students will derive the maximum benefit."

For his part, Juan Pablo Vásquez, director of the Salesian Schools Network, told the young people that the project seeks to foster Salesian talents, giving them the possibility of continuity, and he emphasized: "You are here for yourself first, because you are working for your life project."

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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