(ANS - Turin) - Wednesday, January 29, at 9:00 pm, a group of young people, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesians of Don Bosco and faithful who animate the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, began the triduum to St Giovanni Bosco with an original itinerant, historical and charismatic prayer vigil. Fr Guido Enrico, Rector of the Basilica, who presided over the vigil, invited the participants to make a journey to three significant places in Valdocco: the main courtyard where the statue of Don Bosco is located, the Chapel of St Frances of Sales and the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians: "Because we want to remember Don Bosco in history and remember him today."

Turin, Italy - It has been written, and it is absolute truth, that Don Bosco never stopped confessing, even when he was sick, and still a few months before he died he continued to do so. His great joy was that his children were “in the grace of God”. All the boys wanted to confess to Don Bosco and the reason is visible in this, the most beautiful photo for Don Bosco, the one where he shows his identity as a priest. He has a serene face, an attentive gaze, a paternal attitude. In this circumstance, he was confessing the one who will be his second successor at the head of the Congregation: Paolo Albera. The photo was taken by Francesco Serra, with the title “Don Bosco who confesses”, in Turin, in 1861.

(ANS - Rome) - January 31, the feast day of St John Bosco: there will be countless celebrations around the world to remember the figure of the Saint of Youth. But it is in Valdocco, obviously, the beating heart of the Salesian charism, that the gaze of the global Salesian Family will focus upon. All the more reason this year, due to the presence of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, who in recent years had instead spent the feast day in other locations symbolizing the Salesian mission in the world: Freetown (Sierra Leone), Santo Domingo (Rep. Dominican Republic), Dili (East Timor) and Panama City.

Turin, Italy - This photograph has a mysterious history and it is not known with certainty how it was taken, in what year and who was present. It is known that it was published in 1929 by Fr F. Giraudi with the caption: "Don Bosco in the midst of a group of young people from the oratory". It seems to have been taken in 1861 by the photographer Francesco Serra. It was defined as the most "emotionally moving" photo because Don Bosco is at the center of the photo, surrounded by his boys. The saint's face shows pride for his young people, the satisfaction of being among them and a totally joyful and spontaneous attitude.

Novara, Italy - January 2020 - On 26 January, the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Francesco Cereda, went to the Salesian community of Novara for the feast of Don Bosco of the Salesian Family. Novara is a Salesian presence wherein the middle school takes place with five sections, as well as scientific lyceum with two sections; there is a thriving oratory with animators and sports activities; the community also animates the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians, and a Vocational Training Center has been set up. There are also two communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who animate two schools and a VTC. The educational commitment of SDB and FMA is appreciated by families and young people themselves, who have a strong sense of belonging to the charism of Don Bosco. The Eucharist celebrated in the Cathedral was presided over by Fr Cereda and animated by a large group of ministers and a youth choir in the presence of children, young people, teachers, educators and parents, numerous Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils.

Turin, Italy - From the first photo of Don Bosco taken in 1861 to the last taken in 1887, the Saint's hands are the ones that performed miracles for young people. As a child he learned to work in the fields, to be a shoemaker, a baker, a tailor, a writer ... But as a priest with his own hands he blessed, encouraged and accompanied the young people and his Salesians.