(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.

Rome, Italy - January 2020 - The second annual meeting of the Directors of the Salesian Houses of the Central Italy District took place on 3 and 4 January 2020. As its central theme, the meeting focussed on the Director's Manual, examined for the second time and presented by Fr Silvio Roggia, of the Formation Department. The meeting's second part was dedicated to a discussion on the theme of guidelines for the protection of minors: guidelines being prepared as requested for the entire Salesian Congregation. In this second instance, the study was led by Dr. Sister Anna Deodato, from the Institute of Diocesan Auxiliaries in Milan and member of the Presidential Council of the National Service for the Protection of Minors of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and the lawyer Michele Frasca.

Turin, Italy - 1886 - During the beatification and canonization process of Don Bosco, the theological censors asked: "When did Don Bosco pray?" The photograph of the saint entitled "Don Bosco on his knees" was taken in Turin in 1880 by photographer Michele Schemboche. It is the answer that testifies that Don Bosco was a man deeply of God, a man who gave his time to prayer. The photo shows Don Bosco kneeling, with his eyes fixed on the image of Mary and Jesus. The image has the canons of the time, but Don Bosco is perceived with a serene, spontaneous and natural face.